Wembanyama Spurs – The NBA will send Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to France and England next season, with two regular-season games against the New Orleans Pelicans scheduled for Jan. 14, 2027 in Paris and Jan. 17, 2027 in Manchester.
When Victor Wembanyama walks out on an NBA court in Paris next season, it won’t be a foreign stage. It will be a homecoming of sorts—just across the calendar.
The NBA announced on Wednesday. May 20. that Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will play two regular-season games against the New Orleans Pelicans in Europe as part of the league’s multi-year slate. The first meeting is set for Jan. 14, 2027 at Accor Arena in Paris, followed by a second game on Jan. 17 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.
It will be the sixth time the NBA has contested a regular-season game in Paris, but the first regular-season game in Manchester.
Before the Pelicans’ trip, the Spurs were already familiar with the French capital through earlier international stops. San Antonio played two regular-season games in Paris against the Indiana Pacers during Wembanyama’s second season, in January 2025.
Next year’s England matchup will carry a different milestone for the franchise. This will be the first time the Spurs have appeared in a game in England.
Wembanyama’s roots are part of why the NBA keeps reaching back to Europe with him at the center. The 7-foot-4 French superstar was born and raised in the city’s suburbs and began his professional career playing for clubs in the area before debuting in the NBA.
For the Pelicans, the trip comes with uncertainty swirling around the roster. New Orleans finished with a 26-56 record and traded away their 2026 first-round pick to move up in last year’s draft and select rookie Derik Queen. The team also has veterans Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and guard Dejounte Murray.
But a shift could be coming. The roster could change this offseason under new coach Jamahl Mosley and lead executive Joe Dumars.
The league’s international push is also accelerating beyond this Spurs-Pelicans matchup. The NBA has been playing games abroad since 1978 and ramped up its international presence more than 30 years ago. Now. it is aiming for greater influence in European basketball. with plans on starting an NBA Europe league backed by FIBA that could begin play as soon as October 2027.
The NBA is also scheduled to play regular-season games in Berlin and Paris in 2028.
On the court, Wembanyama’s stock continues to rise as he leads the Spurs through the 2026 NBA playoffs. In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he delivered 41 points, 24 rebounds and three blocks in an overtime win.
There’s a possibility—still ahead, not promised—that the Spurs cross the pond next year not just as participants, but as champions. A young nucleus led by Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper Jr. is already shaping how San Antonio is being discussed for the season to come.
For Dumars, the European games aren’t just about basketball logistics. He said the organization sees them as a chance to connect beyond the stands.
“These games provide a unique platform to showcase our team. our culture and our community to global audiences while building meaningful relationships with fans. partners and communities abroad. ” Dumars said in a statement. “We are grateful to be part of the NBA’s continued international growth efforts. and we are excited to help grow the game globally and connect with new generations of basketball fans.”.
For New Orleans, this will be the first time the franchise plays games in France and England.
NBA Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs New Orleans Pelicans Paris Manchester Accor Arena Co-op Live Jamahl Mosley Joe Dumars NBA Europe league FIBA