The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced that two regular season NBA games will be played in Paris, France in January 2023. The NBA Paris Game 2023 will feature a matchup between the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons at the Accor Arena on January 19th. This will mark the first time that regular season NBA games will be played in Paris.
Why are NBA teams playing in Paris?
The NBA has been expanding its global reach in recent years and playing games outside of North America is part of that strategy. Paris was selected to host these games due to the growth of basketball in France and the popularity of the NBA there. Some key reasons why Paris was chosen:
- France has a strong basketball fanbase – Basketball is the second most popular sport in France behind soccer.
- Paris is a large, global city with infrastructure to support major events
- There are many NBA fans in France – NBA merchandise sales in France are very strong
- French NBA stars like Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, and Nicolas Batum help drive interest
- Paris has not hosted regular season NBA games before, so it provides a fresh location
Playing games in Paris allows the NBA to continue growing its brand globally. It provides an opportunity to energize fans in France and further promote the NBA in Europe.
Which teams are playing in Paris?
The Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons are the two teams selected for the NBA Paris Game 2023. Here are some details on each team:
Chicago Bulls
- Eastern Conference team based in Chicago, Illinois
- Notable players include DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic
- Six-time NBA Champions (last title in 1998)
- Currently ranked 10th in the Eastern Conference standings
Detroit Pistons
- Eastern Conference team based in Detroit, Michigan
- Notable players include Bojan Bogdanović, Jaden Ivey, and Saddiq Bey
- Three-time NBA Champions (last title in 2004)
- Currently ranked 14th in the Eastern Conference standings
The Bulls and Pistons were chosen to showcase some of the young, rising talent in the NBA. Players like DeRozan, LaVine, Ivey, and Bey should provide plenty of highlights for the Paris crowd.
NBA games details
Here are the key details on the NBA Paris Game 2023:
Date | Location | Teams |
---|---|---|
January 19, 2023 | Accor Arena, Paris | Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons |
The game will tip-off at 3:00 PM local time in Paris. This primetime slot should allow plenty of NBA fans in France and across Europe to tune in.
How to get tickets
Tickets to the NBA Paris Game 2023 will go on sale in October 2022. There are a few different options to acquire tickets:
- Official NBA ticket website – Tickets can be purchased at NBAEvents.com once they go on sale. This is the best way to ensure authentic tickets.
- Secondary ticket sellers – Sites like Stubhub and VividSeats will likely also sell tickets, potentially at inflated prices.
- Official team partner sites – The Bulls and Pistons will likely also sell ticket packages on their own team sites.
- Ticket giveaways – Listen for ticket giveaways on local radio stations and follow the NBA teams on social media for potential giveaway contests.
Fans interested in the best seats should plan to buy tickets early from the NBA ticket site. Demand is expected to be high, so prices will likely increase closer to the event date.
Why Paris vs other European cities?
The NBA chose Paris over other potential European host cities for a few key reasons:
- Large market size – The Paris metro area has over 12 million people, providing a huge customer base.
- Modern arena – Accor Arena opened in 2015 and can seat over 15,000 for basketball games.
- Travel logistics – Easy to reach with most international airports and train systems connecting to Paris.
- Tourism appeal – Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world.
- Previous success hosting – Paris hosted the NBA Europe Live Tour in 2010 and has hosted preseason games.
Other cities like London, Barcelona, Berlin, and Madrid are potentially candidates for future games, but Paris offers the right blend of market size, facilities, and appeal for this 2023 event.
Will more NBA games be played in Paris?
The NBA has not announced definitive plans to return to Paris annually, but all signs point to this becoming a regular occurrence if the 2023 game goes well. Some factors that support continued games in Paris:
- The NBA has had success with annual games in London and Mexico City
- Paris has strong fan interest, stadium capacity, and infrastructure
- France continues to produce top NBA talent like Rudy Gobert
- Additional cities dilute potential ticket sales and local hype
The NBA will certainly evaluate the success of the 2023 Paris Game before committing to a long-term plan. But the league has clearly identified France as a strategic market. Regular season games each year would allow the NBA to build its brand there. Expect Paris to become a regular NBA host city as early as 2024.
How to watch the games
For basketball fans not able to attend the NBA Paris Game in person, there will still be plenty of ways to watch the action. Here is how to tune in for the Bulls vs Pistons game:
- TV channels – The game will be televised nationally in France on BeIN Sports. It will also air on NBA TV internationally in other countries.
- Streaming – For France viewers, the game can be streamed on the BeIN Sports Connect app. International fans can stream via NBA League Pass.
- Radio – ESPN Radio will likely provide radio coverage of the game.
- Updates – Real-time text commentary and stats can be followed on the NBA website and app.
- Social media – The NBA, Bulls, and Pistons accounts will provide clips and highlights during and after games.
The NBA works hard to make games accessible across all forms of media. Fans worldwide should have no problem watching the historic NBA Paris Game, even if not attending live.
History of NBA global games
While the 2023 event will mark the first regular season contest in Paris, the NBA has a long history of expanding internationally. Some key milestones:
- 1978 – Washington Bullets beat Atlanta Hawks in first NBA game in Europe (London)
- 1994 – NBA hosts first game in Japan
- 1997 – Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic play first games in Mexico City
- 2006 – NBA plays first preseason game in China
- 2011 – NBA plays first regular season games in Mexico City
- 2013 – First preseason game played in South America (Rio de Janeiro)
The NBA has clearly made international growth a major priority. The league has played over 25 international games in 16 different cities across 6 countries leading up to the Paris debut. Expanding the game globally and building international fanbases remains a key strategy for the NBA as a business.
Impact on the NBA teams
For the Bulls and Pistons, playing regular season games in Paris provides some unique opportunities and challenges:
Benefits
- Increased global brand exposure by playing in major international market
- Chance to connect with international fans and grow fanbase in Europe
- Unique experience for players to travel and bond overseas
- Opportunity to scout/attract European players
Challenges
- Interruptions to routine with extensive travel
- Players being out of their normal environment
- Dealing with time zone changes
- Less control over arena setup, food, and facilities
Teams must weigh these pros and cons when volunteering for international games. While the challenges exist, the NBA hopes the benefits of global brand growth and fan engagement outweigh any downsides for their partner teams.
Conclusion
The 2023 NBA Paris Game will be a historic milestone for the league as it continues expanding globally. This marquee event features two exciting teams and players in the Bulls and Pistons. It provides a great opportunity for the league to energize fans in France and grow its brand in Europe. If successful, Paris could become an annual regular season host city starting as soon as 2024. For any basketball fan visiting Paris in January 2023, be sure to secure tickets early to witness this unique live event!