The London Lions Basketball Club has unveiled a bold vision to build a state-of-the-art home for top-level hoops in the capital—one that could reshape the city’s basketball future in spectacular fashion.
Imagine a purpose-built arena brimming with fans—where you can practically feel the floorboards quake under thundering dunks.
That’s precisely what the Lions have in mind: a long-term home for elite basketball that fosters youth development and extends opportunities to communities across London.
Plans include a high-end training ground for both the men’s and women’s squads, while also serving as a nerve centre for local engagement projects.
And lest we forget, the new venue aims to boost green building initiatives—no small task but certainly a noble one in this urban jungle.
With ambitions to re-enter the European spotlight—and with the mayor itching to draw more NBA games to the city—a dedicated London Lions basketball stadium could cement London as a global basketball mecca.
The drive for a new arena aligns with the mayor’s vow to set up a first-of-its-kind basketball taskforce, all in an effort to grow the sport across London.
After all, recent numbers show over 1.5 million people get their weekly basketball fix throughout the UK, placing the sport comfortably as the nation’s second most popular team game.
The mayor has given the nod of approval, too, promising that City Hall will work hand-in-hand with the Lions to pinpoint the perfect site and provide some technical know-how.
To top it off, the investment and passion behind the Lions are both formidable. Tomas Okmanas, co-founder of Tesonent, London Lions owner, said: “London Lions has the potential to build a basketball stronghold in Europe, powered by incredible local talent and strong ties to a rapidly growing fan community.
The Lions have the appetite to compete – and win – against the best in Europe, and we are thrilled to support them on this journey.
“Such ambitions and goals require a dedicated top-tier venue. Today we are announcing our intention to build a fitting new home for the Lions to usher in a bright new era for the club and the city.”
Mayor Sadiq Khan has also thrown down the welcome mat for this ambition. “London is now the sporting capital of the world and I am thrilled to support the London Lions as they pursue their ambitious vision to establish a state-of-the-art basketball facility in our city,” he said.
“This venue can be a major new hub for basketball in the capital, creating positive opportunities for young people, attracting new fans to the sport and hosting more events which would provide a significant boost to the economy.
“We are dedicated to helping the London Lions secure their long-term home as we work together to build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”
In the same vein, London Lions CEO Lenz Balan emphasized the club’s lofty targets. “Our ambition is to put London firmly on the global basketball map and this project is a major step in that journey.
We want to create a world-class purpose-built home for elite hoops and a place where the community can come together to experience the energy and passion of basketball at the highest level.”
Tesonet, the new owner who rescued the club from a close brush with extinction in summer 2024, seems all-in. Its track record includes backing BC Zalgiris—a European powerhouse that routinely sells out its 15,000-seat arena.
That model of profitability and self-sustainability could provide a winning blueprint for the Lions to follow. With multiple British Basketball League Championships and recent showings in EuroCup, the Lions have already proven themselves one of Britain’s most decorated clubs. A custom-built arena is the next logical leap forward.
Purpose-built arenas, as any rabid sports fan can tell you, deliver a game-day buzz like nowhere else: seats pitched closer to the floor, superb sightlines, raucous roars echoing off the rafters, and cutting-edge scoreboards that keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Lions aim to keep the fire burning at their current Copper Box Arena while working through the stadium’s planning details.
Exact timelines and location are still under wraps, but if all goes to plan, this project may be the purr-fect (sorry) recipe to fuel London’s basketball dreams. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more to come.