The NBA is Coming to Manchester in 2027: Pelicans vs Spurs

Manchester is set to welcome the NBA in January 2027, as the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs head to the city for a regular-season fixture as part of the league’s multiyear slate of games in Europe.

The 2 teams will go head-to-head at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Sunday 17 January 2027, marking the city’s first-ever NBA regular-season game.

With some of the biggest names in basketball currently featuring across both rosters, including Victor Wembanyama, Zion Williamson and De’Aaron Fox, the Manchester game is already shaping up to be a major sporting occasion for the city and basketball fans across the UK.

The NBA Comes to Co-op Live

Manchester is no stranger to major sporting occasions. From international football and cricket to some of the biggest events in the sporting calendar, the city has built a reputation as a destination for fans from across the UK and beyond, and it’s now time to add NBA basketball to that list.

The NBA has previously bought games to England, but this game will be a significant milestone, as the first regular-season NBA fixture to be played in Manchester.

The game will take place at Co-op Live, Manchester’s major indoor entertainment venue located on the Etihad Campus. With its purpose-built environment and capacity to host major events, it provides the perfect setting for an NBA game.

Why Manchester?

Manchester has an established international sporting identity, a huge diverse audience and a long-standing reputation for attracting visitors for major events. The city is also well connected to the rest of the UK, making it accessible for basketball fans travelling from across the country.

Bringing a regular-season NBA game to Manchester makes sense on a number of levels. It gives the league an opportunity to take its product to a major European city with an established sporting culture, while giving UK fans the chance to experience the NBA in true style without having to travel overseas.

The Manchester game will also help showcase the city to an international audience, adding another globally recognised sporting event to Manchester’s ever-growing calendar.

Meet The Teams

The Pelicans and Spurs bring together an exciting combination of established NBA stars and some of the league’s most promising young talent. Here’s a closer look at the players currently featuring for both sides.

The New Orleans Pelicans

Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, this team is full of young talent, built around power and athleticism. The team currently feature a mix of established NBA talent and promising young players, led by two-time NBA All-Star Zion Williamson.

Zion Williamson

One of the most recognisable players in the NBA, Zion Williamson has built a reputation for his extraordinary athleticism, power and ability to finish around the basket.

The two-time NBA All-Star is one of the league’s most exciting players to watch, making his appearance in Manchester a major attraction for UK basketball fans.

Dejounte Murray

The Pelicans also currently feature Dejounte Murray, a 2022 NBA All-Star known for his all-round game and two-way ability.

With experience at the highest level of the NBA, Murray adds another established star to the Pelicans’ roster and could play an important role when New Orleans takes on the Spurs.

The San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are one of the NBA’s most successful franchises. Building a legacy of excellence and winning 5 championships, the Spurs combine young talent with a proud winning tradition.

At the centre of the Spurs’ story is one of basketball’s biggest current stars: Victor Wembanyama.

Victor Wembanyama

Few players in the NBA generate the same level of excitement as Victor Wembanyama.

The two-time NBA All-Star was named the 2025–26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, adding another major individual accolade to an already impressive young career.

At his size and with his combination of defensive ability and skill, Wembanyama has quickly established himself as one of the most unique players in the modern NBA.

For UK fans, the opportunity to see him compete in Manchester is one of the biggest attractions of the 2027 fixture.

De’Aaron Fox

The Spurs also currently feature De’Aaron Fox, a two-time NBA All-Star and one of the league’s most exciting guards.

Known for his speed, scoring ability and playmaking, Fox provides the Spurs with another established NBA star alongside Wembanyama.

Pelicans vs Spurs: An NBA Matchup Worth Watching

With so much talent across both rosters, Pelicans vs Spurs already has several intriguing storylines.

Wembanyama vs Williamson

One of the most exciting potential matchups will be the battle between Victor Wembanyama and Zion Williamson.

Both players are among the NBA’s most recognisable stars, but they bring very different qualities to the court.

Wembanyama combines extraordinary size with an increasingly versatile skill set and elite defensive ability, while Williamson’s explosive athleticism and physical strength have made him one of the league’s most difficult players to contain.

Seeing two players of their calibre go head-to-head in Manchester could be one of the defining moments of the game.

Established Stars Meet the Next Generation

The matchup isn’t only about Wembanyama and Williamson.

Both teams currently feature an exciting combination of established NBA stars and younger players looking to make their mark.

For the Pelicans, the likes of Dejounte Murray sit alongside rising talents Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Meanwhile, the Spurs combine Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.

That blend of experience gives the game plenty of potential storylines, allowing UK fans to see both established NBA stars and some of the next generation of basketball talent in one arena.

Why This Game Matters for UK Basketball Fans

The NBA has a huge following across the UK, with fans regularly staying up late to watch games taking place thousands of miles away in the United States.

The Manchester Game provides an opportunity to experience that action much closer to home.

Rather than travelling to the US to watch an NBA regular-season fixture, UK fans will have the chance to see two NBA teams compete in person.

The game also forms part of the NBA’s wider commitment to bringing regular-season basketball to audiences across Europe. The league has described the Paris and Manchester fixtures as part of its multi-year slate of regular-season games in Europe, reflecting the continued growth of basketball and interest in the NBA across the continent.

For Manchester, the occasion represents another major addition to the city’s international sporting calendar. For basketball fans, it is a rare opportunity to see some of the NBA’s biggest current stars on UK soil.

Stay Up to Date with NBA Manchester 2027

With January 2027 still a few months away, there is plenty more to come as anticipation builds around the Manchester fixture.

As further details are announced, we’ll be bringing you more information about this Co-op Live event and what fans can expect when the Pelicans take on the Spurs.