London Lions complete first phase of plan for new 15,000-seat London arena

The London Lions have completed the first phase of their feasibility study into building a major new arena in the capital – a project that could deliver more than £3.4 billion in economic impact, while securing the future of the club.

The RIBA Stage 1 study, carried out with The Sports Consultancy and Trivandi, confirms both the viability and the demand for a new custom-built venue with at least 15,000 seats, alongside a 3,500-seat community arena. It follows the Mayor of London’s public backing in July, with City Hall providing technical expertise to explore options for a long-term home for the sport.

According to the study, the development could create nearly 1,000 full time equivalent jobs and act as a major regeneration catalyst.

The main arena is projected to host around 40 basketball games a year – including Lions fixtures and international events – plus more than 100 sports and cultural performances. The community arena would serve as home to the London Lions women’s team, a training facility, and a dedicated grassroots hub.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan welcomed the progress, saying basketball’s popularity in the city continues to surge and that a new arena would “provide a significant boost to the economy and help build a better, healthier and more prosperous London for everyone”.

Lions CEO Lenz Balan called the milestone “a significant moment for the London Lions and British basketball”, emphasising the need for a permanent home that serves both the pro game and the next generation of players.

Tomas Okmanas, co-founder of Tesonet – the club’s ownership group – highlighted the financial commitment already made to the project, noting that Tesonet has invested almost eight million euros per season over the last two years, with plans to continue at the same level.

With Phase 1 complete, the project now moves into the second stage of feasibility with Legends, the global premium experiences company.

The next phase will focus on detailed site options, planning, delivery strategies and funding models, as well as broader engagement across London to determine where the arenas would have the greatest impact.

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