NBA open to regular-season game at Real Madrid’s Bernabéu

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum has revealed that the league is considering the possibility of hosting a regular-season game at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid, a prominent soccer team.

This impressive declaration follows the Dallas Mavericks’ recent preseason loss to Real Madrid Baloncesto at the WiZink Center in Madrid.

While the NBA has never organized a game in an outdoor soccer stadium abroad, Tatum expressed his admiration for the Bernabéu, which has a seating capacity of 85,000 for soccer matches compared to the WiZink Center’s capacity of just over 17,000 for basketball games. According to Tatum, the Bernabéu is a remarkable venue that the NBA would be thrilled to play in, given the right circumstances.

Adding to his statement, Tatum highlighted the importance of exploring big markets with rich traditions, including France, where next year’s Olympic Games will take place. Additionally, Tatum mentioned Germany, Spain, and Italy as significant markets for the NBA, even though certain venues may currently lack the necessary facilities. However, Tatum confirmed the league’s openness to holding games in alternative locations as long as a “world-class pavilion” meeting specific standards is available, citing London as a prime example in Europe.

Notably, the recent preseason game in Madrid marked the NBA’s return to the Spanish capital since 2016, when Real Madrid hosted and defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder. Luka Doncic, who now plays in the NBA, had participated in previous NBA matches while representing Madrid against the Boston Celtics.

This game was the NBA’s eighth appearance in the Spanish capital and its 20th game in Spain overall, a significant milestone after the NBA’s first game in the country took place in 1988, 35 years ago.