The National Basketball Association has revealed the identities of the teams that will compete when the NBA makes its Manchester debut at Co-op Live, as originally announced last year.
The New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs will play an official NBA regular-season game at Co-op Live in Manchester on Sunday 17 January 2027, with the same two teams also due to face each other in Paris three days earlier as part of the same transatlantic cultural exchange.
The game will mark the first-ever NBA regular-season game to take place in Manchester, and only the second in the UK. The NBA has previously visited Manchester, most recently in 2013, but this is the city’s first ever regular-season NBA game.
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The Spurs currently feature global superstar Victor Wembanyama, alongside De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, while the Pelicans roster includes Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray.
In addition to the game itself, the NBA, Spurs and Pelicans will deliver a programme of fan activations, youth basketball clinics, community outreach and NBA Cares initiatives across Manchester.
“Playing games in Paris and Manchester reflects the strong momentum we’re seeing for basketball and the NBA in France, the UK and across Europe,” said NBA managing director, Europe and Middle East, George Aivazoglou. “As interest in the game continues to grow across the continent, we look forward to working with the Pelicans, the Spurs and our partners to deliver unique experiences for fans, aspiring players and the local communities.”
“Participating in these games in Paris and Manchester is an incredible opportunity for our organization to proudly represent both the Pelicans franchise and the City of New Orleans on an international stage,” said Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars.
Spurs CEO RC Buford added: “It’s an incredible honor to…play our first-ever game in England, given the strong embrace we’ve felt from the community and fans across Europe.
Both teams will be playing their first ever game in England, while the Pelicans will also be making their debut in France.
The event is expected to attract significant international attention, with broadcasts reaching more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
