- 10 million pounds sterling invest joint will bring a game in communities from top to bottom of the country
- The new collaboration shows the strength of cultural ties between the United Kingdom and the United States after the state visit
Ancient and new basketball fans will be stimulated by an investment of 10 million pounds sterling in the recreational game, because the government and the NBA today announce complete plans to encourage more active people and involved in one of the fastest growth sports in the United Kingdom.
The government joins one of the most recognizable brands in the world to develop courts for local communities across England and provide under -represented groups – such as women and girls, disabled and ethnic minorities – with more opportunities to play.
As part of the government’s program of 400 million pounds Sterling, 5 million pounds Sterling will be engaged in basketball in 2026/27, with funded sites to include a multi-sport offer so that they are accessible and attractive to obtain as many people as possible. This is a new approach to the British government, investing beyond the basic installations led by football as part of this program for the first time.
This dedicated funding for basketball will be equaled by the NBA, which will invest 5 million pounds Sterling at 2028 to expand basic programs which already reach more than 50,000 young people across the United Kingdom each year.
The announcement follows a series of partnerships unveiled during the state visit to the United Kingdom by the President and the First Lady of the United States, highlighting close sporting and cultural ties between nations, including a major technological prosperity agreement that could bring billions of investment books to the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the NBA commissioner Adam Silver met at No10 Downing Street in July and agreed to work together on basketball growth in the United Kingdom and future potential investment opportunities around the NBA Europe.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
Basketball is booming in Great Britain-and this investment will help to go to the next level, opening the game to thousands of additional people across the country.
This is more than sport – it is community, inclusion and inspiration the next generation to find their spark.
I am proud that the United Kingdom is associated with one of the most emblematic sports brands in the world to make real changes to our employees and our communities.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said:
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the United Kingdom and offers a powerful means of bringing together communities and becoming active.
With the support of the NBA, we will develop participation and break down the barriers so that everyone can access this incredible sport, keep the communities healthy and inspire the next generation,
With the NBA which returned to the United Kingdom in January, there has never been a better time to invest in sport and transform the dreams of young graduates.
Basketball is behind football only as the second most popular team sport for young people in England, with 1.15 million playing each week, while its diverse scope saw the NBA fandom in British adults increase by 24% in the last three years.
The collaboration comes when the United Kingdom is preparing to welcome NBA matches in the regular season for the first time since 2019. The matches – in London in January 2026 and Manchester in 2027 – could generate more than 100 million pounds of economic impact on the United Kingdom, the two parties determined to explore additional games in the future.
The commissioner and chief of the NBA, Mark Tatum, said:
The British government shares our commitment to use basketball to stimulate socioeconomic development and teach the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle.
We thank them for their investment in facilities that will provide safe spaces to people from all backgrounds and capacity to learn and play games, and we are impatient to work more closely in the years to come, including the potential launch of a new pan-European league which would bring more world class basketball to fans in the United Kingdom.
Today’s announcement was made during a visit to the culture secretary at the NBA flagship store on Oxford Street.
Beyond basketball, the government has committed significant investments in basic and elite sports because it offers the change plan, the 400 million sterling pounds allocated to new and improved basic installations through the United Kingdom accompanied by an investment of 500 million pounds sterling in major sporting events.
