India Basketball League Unveils Foundation Cities for 2027 Launch

The India Basketball League (IBL) has announced its eight foundation cities, setting the stage for its inaugural season in 2027. With a focus on fan engagement, the league invites basketball enthusiasts to help decide which cities will compete. This initiative marks a significant step in India's basketball journey, aiming for participation in global events like the Olympics. The league promises a structured pathway for talent development, ensuring a bright future for basketball in India. Discover more about the cities and the league's vision in the full article.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 10, 2026, 01:59 IST

Foundation Cities Announced for India's First Professional Basketball League

On May 9, the India Basketball League (IBL) announced the eight foundation cities for the country's inaugural professional basketball league, set to commence in early 2027. This significant reveal took place at the BUDx NBA House in New Delhi, where IBL players, alongside NBA legends like DeMarcus Cousins, Isiah Thomas, and Vlade Divac, shared the exciting news.

The selected cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Pune—were chosen for their deep-rooted basketball culture, characterized by active participation, passionate fanbases, and established basketball communities. Out of these, six cities will compete in the league's first season, while the remaining two will join in later seasons as the league grows.

Fans will play a crucial role in determining which six of the eight cities will participate in the inaugural season, allowing them to influence the league's formation from the very beginning.

Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG, emphasized the league's significance, stating, “The India Basketball League marks a new chapter in our decade-long commitment to basketball in India. Just five months after announcing the IBL, we launched our High-Performance Centre in Bengaluru, which is now the hub for top-tier basketball coaching and talent development in the country. The players training there will be the backbone of the talent showcased when we kick off in 2027. The announcement of our foundation cities is a pivotal step towards creating a platform for Indian basketball fans to enjoy for years to come.”

Basketball ranks among the most popular sports at the Olympic Games, and the IBL represents India's aspiration to join this global event.

With a structured talent pathway that includes state-level scouting, the High-Performance Centre, and professional competition, the IBL aims to pave the way for India’s participation in the FIBA Asia Cup, the Asian Games, and ultimately the Olympics.

Jeremy Loeliger, Commissioner of the IBL, stated, “The success of any professional sports league hinges on its fans, which is why we want to ensure that the voices of India’s basketball enthusiasts are heard from the very start. They will guide our decision-making process, and we plan to engage with them at every stage.”