India Basketball League Unveils Foundation Cities for 2027 Launch
Foundation Cities Announced for India's Basketball League
On Saturday, the India Basketball League (IBL) announced the eight foundation cities for the country's inaugural professional basketball league, set to kick off in early 2027. This announcement took place at the BUDx NBA House in New Delhi, where IBL players, alongside NBA legends DeMarcus Cousins, Isiah Thomas, and Vlade Divac, revealed the selected cities.
The chosen cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Pune. These locations were selected due to their strong basketball culture, characterized by active participation, dedicated fan bases, and established basketball communities. Out of these, six cities will compete in the first season, while the remaining two will join in later seasons as the league grows. Fans will have a chance to influence which six cities will participate in the inaugural season.
ACG's Commitment to Basketball Development
"The India Basketball League represents a significant advancement in ACG's decade-long dedication to basketball in India. Just five months after announcing the IBL, we launched our High-Performance Centre in Bengaluru, which now boasts the best coaching framework and talent pipeline in the country. The players training there will be the foundation of the talent showcased on the court when we begin in 2027. The announcement of our foundation cities marks a crucial step towards creating a platform for entertaining Indian basketball fans for years to come," stated Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG.
Aiming for Olympic Participation
Basketball ranks among the most popular sports at the Olympic Games, and the IBL is a vital step towards India's aspiration to participate in this global event. The league is designed to provide a clear pathway for talent, starting from state-level scouting, progressing through the High-Performance Centre, and culminating in professional competition. This structure aims to facilitate India's journey to the FIBA Asia Cup, the Asian Games, and ultimately the Olympics.
Engaging Fans from the Start
"The success of any professional sports league hinges on its fans, which is why we are committed to ensuring that the voices of India's basketball enthusiasts are heard from the very beginning. They will guide our decision-making process, and we plan to involve them at every stage," remarked Jeremy Loeliger, Commissioner of the IBL.