Sports
London Lions Advancing in Plans to Build Stunning New Stadium
The London Lions have taken a huge step forward in their plans to build a new 15,000-seater custom-built basketball arena in the English capital after they have completed the first phase of a feasibility study. They’ve also received full support from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
The project would provide a £3.4 billion boost to basketball, sport and culture in London, while it would provide the sector with around 1,000 new full-time jobs. The new venue would primarily be focused on the provision of basketball, but it will be a multi-purpose space.
Alongside the 15,000 seats, the new stadium would offer a 3,500-seat community area – with the latter set to become the home of the London Lions women’s team, a training facility and a dedicated hub to improve the development of grassroots basketball in London and England as a whole.
|
British Basketball League Standings |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Team |
Played |
W/L |
Points |
|
1. |
London Lions |
13 |
11/2 |
22 |
|
2. |
Cheshire Phoenix |
16 |
9/7 |
18 |
|
3. |
Bristol Flyers |
14 |
8/6 |
16 |
|
4. |
Sheffield Sharks |
12 |
7/5 |
14 |
|
5. |
Manchester Basketball |
12 |
7/5 |
14 |
|
6. |
Leicester Riders |
12 |
5/7 |
10 |
|
7. |
Newcastle Eagles |
13 |
5/8 |
10 |
|
8. |
Surrey 89ers |
11 |
4/7 |
8 |
|
9. |
Caledonia Gladiators |
15 |
3/12 |
6 |
London Lions’ New Stadium Will Provide 1,000 New Full-Time Jobs
The idea surrounding the community area, too, is about creating opportunities for young people and local residents to access the sport of basketball. Elsewhere, the main area of the project would play host to around 40 basketball matches per year – including London Lions games and major international events.
Conducted with The Sports Consultancy and Trivandi, the aforementioned study marks the completion of RIBA Stage 1 and thus confirms the viability and demand for a new large arena in London. For reference: the London Lions currently play their matches at the Copper Box Arena.
Not only will the development provide the basketball team with a permanent home, but research has claimed that London and the wider population of the United Kingdom will feel the benefits.
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According to the Lions’ official website, independent analysis projects a total economic impact exceeding £3.4 billion over 13 years, the creation of around 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs, and significant regeneration potential. It’s an exciting project, of course, and London Lions CEO Lenz Balan has provided an update recently.
Joining talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs, he claimed: “It’s still very early days. We’ve had initial conversations with a number of developers and the local City Council.”
“Trivandi and the Sports Consultancy have been incredible and so have the Mayor, who’s offered us an opportunity in London in terms of helping us figure out what the right size is and what makes sense from an economic standpoint.
“We’re now working with legends to build out the financial modelling and the first phase of a feasibility study,” Balan concluded, as basketball across the UK and Europe continues to grow hundredfold. The London Lions, the reigning champions of the British Basketball League, are at the epicentre of excitement after claiming their third league title last season.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Gives London Lions’ Project Full Backing
The latest plans follow the announcement by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who took office on 9 May 2016, over the summer months. Khan offered his full support to the Lions’ swanky new venue, which will be aided by support from City Hall’s technical expertise and strategic guidance. “London is the sporting capital of the world,” he said.
“I am pleased to support the London Lions as they pursue their ambitious vision to establish a new, multi-purpose arena in our city.”
The influential Khan continued: “We will continue to harness the huge popularity of basketball to create positive opportunities for young people, attract new fans to the sport and host even more major events, which will provide a significant boost to the economy and help build a better, healthier and more prosperous London for everyone.”
In 2024, Khan helped to establish a dedicated Basketball Taskforce to elevate the sport’s profile, secure major events, and create opportunities for young people, and it looks as if he is willing to help take basketball to the next level. Elsewhere, earlier in 2025, the UK Government and NBA announced a landmark £10 million joint investment to grow and develop basketball in England.
