MANCHESTER has been selected as one of eight cities outside the USA to host NBA preseason games this October.
Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Philadelphia 76ers at the Manchester Arena on Tuesday 8 October, in what will be a first for the city.
"Providing fans with an authentic NBA experience is an important part of our efforts to grow the game globally."
The series of international games will also include the first ever NBA preseason games to be held in Brazil and the Philippines, and Bilbao, Spain.
In addition to oncourt action, the NBA global games will feature a variety of events off the court, including NBA Cares community outreach activities and interactive fan events in each city. They will also be supported by a variety of marketing and promotional partners, and will be available to fans on television and through digital media.
NBA Commissioner David Stern said: “Providing fans with an authentic NBA experience is an important part of our efforts to grow the game globally. This fall, nearly a third of our teams will embark on a global tour that will celebrate the game of basketball, give our international fans a chance to connect with NBA teams and players, and leave a lasting impact in each of the communities we visit.”
