The NBA, which will stage its first regular season games across the Pond in March, will switch the location of its preseason exhibition from London to Manchester starting in the 2013 season. The capital city has hosted matches the past four seasons.
The game is scheduled for the city’s MEN Arena, which has been the home for the Manchester Storm and Manchester Phoenix ice hockey teams, as well as the Manchester Giants basketball team.
Additionally, the WBNA’s Atlanta Dream and the men’s and women’s national team will play exhibitions at MEN in 2012.
“This comprehensive schedule of premier basketball events will help grow the sport for years to come,” NBA Europe senior vice president Sophie Goldschmidt told the Associated Press. “This partnership shows our ongoing commitment to deepen basketball’s footprint in the country.”