London Lions pursue EuroLeague franchise as competition expands to 24 teams

Can London become Europe’s next basketball hub? The London Lions are making their case for a EuroLeague franchise, staking their claim as the continent’s top league expands to 24 teams to rival the incoming NBA Europe League.

The Lions face real competition for the spot. EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno confirmed the Lions are among several bidders vying for the London franchise, with two additional investors also in the running. That kind of interest says something about London’s commercial potential.

The Lions have built strong credentials domestically. They won the domestic quadruple championship this season and booked their spot in EuroCup for 2026-27. They’ve also inked a three-plus-two year deal with Euroleague Basketball for EuroCup competition and are actively pursuing plans for a new dedicated arena in the capital.

Still, Bueno isn’t glossing over the risks. He flagged “more risk” in London specifically—building a top-level basketball audience in the capital isn’t straightforward. The domestic Super League Basketball, he pointed out, “is not as competitive as other European domestic leagues”.

Success in London wouldn’t open the floodgates. Bueno made clear that any London franchise would need to prove the model works before the league considers expansion elsewhere, ruling out multiple teams in the city. Other UK cities won’t get a look—Manchester, for instance, was branded “way too risky” for EuroLeague entry right now.