NBA Global Games London 2016 to feature regular-season game between Magic and Raptors

LONDON – The Orlando Magic will return to London to play a regular-season game against the Toronto Raptors at The O2 on Jan. 14, 2016 as part of NBA Global Games 2015-16, it was announced today by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG).  This will mark the league’s sixth regular-season game in London.

Tickets for the game in London will go on sale at the beginning of the 2015-16 NBA season. Fans can register for presale opportunities by signing up for NBA All-Access. More information can be found at facebook.com/NBAUK or @NBAUK.

The Magic, led by four-time NBA Champion and 15-time NBA All-Star Shaquille O’Neal, first visited London for a pair of preseason games in 1993.  More recently, the Raptors played back-to-back games in London in 2011, marking the NBA’s first regular-season games in Europe.

Along with the oncourt action, NBA Global Games London will feature a variety of off-the-court activities, including NBA Cares community programs and interactive fan events.

Executive/Player Quotes:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:
“We look forward to returning to London next season with a regular-season game between the Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors.  This underscores our commitment to growing basketball in the region and to bringing more regular-season basketball to our fans in the UK.”

NBA EMEA Senior Vice President and Managing Director Benjamin Morel:
“We are delighted to welcome the Magic and the Raptors back to London. The city’s sixth regular-season game will be another exciting, impactful event for all of our fans in the UK and across Europe and will help us continue to grow the sport of basketball across the region.”

Senior Vice President of AEG Sports Europe Matthieu Van Veen:
“We are very happy to be hosting an NBA regular-season game at The O2 for the sixth time. The annual NBA Regular Season game at The O2 has successfully sold out since 2011 and has become a “can’t-miss” event in the European sports calendar. We look forward to welcoming the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic to the O2 and bringing the excitement of NBA basketball to London’s passionate basketball fans”

Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins:
“We’re honored to participate in the NBA’s Global Games and look forward to representing the Central Florida community and showcasing our team. From our past experience of playing in London in 1993 we know the passion of the fans and look forward to this amazing opportunity.”

Toronto Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri:
“On behalf of the Raptors organization, we are proud to return to London for NBA Global Games 2016. We had a tremendous experience in London in 2011 and look forward to reconnecting with the fans and community. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to continue in the NBA’s mission to make an impact globally.”

Orlando Magic Head Coach Scott Skiles:

“On behalf of the Magic organization, we are looking forward to returning to London for NBA Global Games 2016.  I remember playing in London with the Magic in 1993 and I am sure our current players will relish this unique opportunity.”

Toronto Raptors Head Coach Dwane Casey:

“NBA Global Games 2016 in London is a great platform for our players and staff to represent the NBA and bond with Raptors fans overseas. We look forward to an exciting atmosphere for our game against the Magic.”

About The O2
The O2 is the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue. Since opening in 2007, The O2 has been visited by more than 50 million people and picked up awards including: Venue of the Year at the Music Week Awards, Venue of the Year at the Event Awards, Venue of the Year at the AEO Awards, Pollstar International Arena of the Year (seven consecutive years), Venue Team of the Year at the Event Awards, Best New Major Concert Venue, Venue of the Year at The Event Services Association and Favourite Venue at the TPI Awards.

In addition to the arena, The O2 is also home to indigo at The O2, which is a live performance space, an 11-screen Cineworld complex, Up at The O2 – an experience that allows visitors to walk across the roof of The O2, Brooklyn Bowl – a 12-lane bowling alley, 800 capacity live music space and 130 cover restaurant, and The Avenue, which features 24 bars and restaurants.