Regular season NBA returns to London in 2014

London will yet again play host to another NBA regular season game, after the organisation today announced “NBA Global Games London 2014” pitting the Atlanta Hawks against Brooklyn Nets at The O2 Arena on Thursday, January 16th, 2014.

It will be the fourth NBA regular-season game in London over the last four years in partnership with Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), owners of The O2, and the 12th NBA game in the capital dating back to 1993.  The game will be the eighth NBA game played at The O2 since 2007.

Tickets for the game will go on sale in October later this year, but fans can register for pre-sale opportunities by signing up to NBA All-Access http://www.nba.com/allaccess. More information can be found at facebook.com/NBAUK or @NBAUK.

The game is one of two regular-season games the NBA will play internationally as part of the 2013-14 season, which also includes a game in Mexico City between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs on the 4th of December as part of NBA Global Games Mexico City 2013. These games will mark the first time the league will stage regular-season games in two different countries outside of the U.S. and Canada in the same season.

“With the addition of regular-season games in London and Mexico City, we will play one of the most comprehensive international games schedules in our history next season,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “Through these games we will bring the NBA experience to more fans and provide showcases for basketball and the extraordinary talent of our players.”

“Following one of the most captivating seasons and Finals in recent times, we are thrilled to announce the fourth regular-season game in London featuring the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets,” said Benjamin Morel NBA Senior Vice-President, Europe. “Together with the game in Manchester in October, we look forward to be bringing four NBA teams to the UK for the 2013-14 season as we further showcase the excitement of our teams and players.”

“We are very pleased to be hosting this NBA regular-season game once again at The O2 in London, which will undoubtedly be an exciting clash of titans,” said Matthieu Van Veen, Senior Vice President of AEG Sports Europe. “Our ongoing focus is to provide our fans with access to some of the best in international live sporting events every year while showcasing The O2’s delivery of world class entertainment beyond music and this game is certainly no exception.”

There are plenty of London connections between the two sides hitting Blighty. The Hawks, featuring two-time NBA All-Star Al Horford and guard Lou Williams, have qualified for the NBA Playoffs for six consecutive seasons and took part in the NBA’s first ever preseason games in London in 1993 with back-to-back games against the Orlando Magic. Whilst the Eastern Conference’s Brooklyn Nets are led by three-time NBA All-Star and gold medallist with the US Men’s Senior National team at London 2012, Deron Williams as well as newly named head coach Jason Kidd who is making his coaching debut for the 2013-14 season after an illustrious 19-year playing career. This will be the Nets’ third trip to London; the then-New Jersey Nets played a preseason game in 2008 against the Miami Heat, and also played in the league’s first regular-season games in the UK, a pair of contests against the Toronto Raptors, in 2011.

In addition to on court action, the NBA Global Games London 2014 will feature a variety of events off the court, including NBA Cares community outreach activities and interactive fan events in London.  The game will also be supported by a variety of marketing and promotional partners, and will be available to fans on television and through digital media.

The games build on the comprehensive NBA Global Games preseason schedule set for this October.  The full 2013-14 NBA Global Games schedule now includes a total of 12 NBA teams playing 10 regular season and preseason games in eight cities in six countries and territories.  This will be the most NBA teams to play internationally in a single season in the history of the league.

Britain also gets another taste of some of the best basketball the world has on offer with the NBA Global Games 2013 preseason schedule stops off in Manchester with Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers in tow this October.

2013-14 NBA Global Games Schedule:

(Photo: NBAE/Getty Images)