NBA Manchester Game 2027: Pelicans vs Spurs on 17 January
The fixture reverses the order of the Paris Game three days earlier: in Manchester, the Pelicans are the home team, and the Spurs are the visitors. The Spurs bring Victor Wembanyama, and if the squad stays as it is, De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle as well. The Pelicans can field Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray under the same condition. Rosters can change through trades, injuries and rest days, so treat every name as provisional until the day of the game. The matchup is well suited to a neutral crowd: a young star with international appeal on one side, a team with explosive athletes on the other. A Sunday afternoon tip-off also suits families and travelling groups, and it tends to create a relaxed yet loud atmosphere, since many in the crowd will be seeing a regular-season NBA game for the first time, and everyone will want to enjoy the entertainment around the court as much as the basketball itself.
| Date | Sunday 17 January 2027, 3.30 pm (UK time) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Co-op Live, Manchester |
| Game | New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs |
| Status | Sold out (NBA, 22 Sept 2026) β resale only |
Co-op Live and the Manchester Game 2027 venue
Co-op Live opened in 2024 and is one of the largest indoor arenas in Europe, built mainly for concerts and big live events. For this game it will be set up for basketball, with a court in the centre and seating on all sides, giving most spectators a clear view of the action. A modern arena means wide concourses, plenty of food and drink points and good facilities, but also strict security and entry procedures, so arrive early. The venue is in the Etihad Campus area to the east of the city centre, near the football stadium, which means the neighbourhood is already used to large crowds. Check the entry rules for bags and the digital ticket procedure on the arena’s information a few days before the game. Since the match falls in mid-January, wrap up warmly for the walk between the transport stop and the arena, and expect a lively scene outside before the doors open.
NBA Manchester 2027 tickets: sold out, and the options now
There is no open sale for the Manchester game. Tickets sold out following huge demand, and the NBA has said that the same applies in Paris. The routes left are the resale market, on recognised platforms that provide a buyer guarantee, and experience or hospitality packages, which include a seat and extra services at a higher price. Resale prices are set by sellers, and for a first-ever regular-season game in a city with a record number of registrations, they are likely to be well above face value. As a rough estimate only, and not an official price list, expect a wide range, from a few hundred pounds for a modest seat to far more for the best positions. Compare the total including fees, set a ceiling and never pay through messages from unknown sources. The alert on this page will email you if tickets return to sale or if an official change is announced.
Getting to the Manchester Game 2027 by tram, train and road
From Manchester city centre, the simplest approach is to take the tram towards the Etihad Campus, which serves the area around the arena. The journey is short, but trams will be busy before and after the game, so leave extra time and consider walking part of the way. Manchester Piccadilly station is the main rail hub, with connections from London, Birmingham and many other cities. If you are driving, remember that parking near the arena is limited on event days and traffic around the campus can be heavy. Airport connections are convenient, as Manchester Airport has frequent links to the city centre by train and tram. For a 3.30 pm Sunday game, doors open earlier, and a mid-day arrival gives time for lunch and security checks. Plan the return too, because January weather and Sunday rail services can limit late options, and book your trip home before you travel, so that a delay does not leave you without a way back.
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Combining the Paris and Manchester Game 2027 in one trip
The two games are only three days apart, which is what makes a double trip so attractive: Thursday evening in Paris, then Sunday afternoon in Manchester. Direct flights link the two cities in under two hours, and some fans may prefer a rail journey with a change in London. Whichever route you choose, allow a buffer on Saturday, because winter weather can delay transport, and avoid booking tight connections on game day. The cost of two sold-out tickets adds up, so decide whether you want both or whether one game and a quieter weekend are enough. See our NBA Paris Game 2027 page for the first leg and the trip planning page for ideas on organising an itinerary. Travellers from France or Spain should also check passport and entry requirements for the United Kingdom well in advance, since rules differ from those inside the EU, and consider travel insurance for a trip with several moving parts.
Planning a weekend around the NBA Manchester 2027 game
A Sunday afternoon game leaves the rest of the weekend free, so it is worth thinking about how to spend the time. Manchester is a compact city with a strong sporting and musical identity, and many visitors combine the game with a visit to museums, markets or a football-related tour. Arriving on Saturday gives you a relaxed evening and removes the stress of a same-day journey, particularly in January when travel disruption is more likely. If you come from abroad, check the entry requirements for the United Kingdom for your nationality and your travel documents well in advance. Pack for cold, damp weather with a waterproof layer, since you will queue outside the arena for security. For families, the early tip-off allows a return to your accommodation at a reasonable hour. Book accommodation and transport as soon as your plans are firm, because a sold-out event draws visitors from across Europe and prices rise as the date approaches.
Watching the Manchester Game 2027 from home
If you do not find a ticket, you can still enjoy the game. The 3.30 pm UK kick-off corresponds to 4.30 pm in Paris and Madrid, an easy time for a watch party. Broadcast rights are sold country by country, and the details for the UK and other markets will be confirmed closer to the date, so check your local providers. The game will be the end of a short European tour for the Spurs and the Pelicans, and fans can expect build-up coverage, practice sessions and interviews during the week. It is also a useful chance to understand the league’s European ambitions: the NBA has said it targets October 2027 for the planned NBA Europe league, which is explained on our NBA Europe page, although no city or club has been confirmed yet. For the wider season, read the NBA 2027 overview, which places the game among the other key dates of the year.
NBA Manchester Game 2027 FAQ
Questions about the NBA Manchester Game 2027 usually focus on the date, tickets and the practical route to the arena. The firm facts are straightforward: Sunday 17 January 2027, Co-op Live, Pelicans against Spurs, 3.30 pm UK time, sold out since the announcement of 22 September 2026. The less certain points are the resale prices, the rosters on the day and any late release of seats. The answers below mark clearly what is confirmed and what is an estimate, so you can plan without relying on rumour. Activate the free alert at the top of the page and you will receive an email as soon as the status of tickets changes, and we revise this guide whenever the league publishes something new. If you are reading this long before the game, check back closer to January, since practical details such as entry rules and transport advice are normally released only in the final weeks before the match.
When is the NBA Manchester Game 2027?
The NBA Manchester Game 2027 is on Sunday 17 January 2027 at Co-op Live. Tip-off is at 3.30 pm UK time, and the New Orleans Pelicans are the home team against the San Antonio Spurs. It is the first regular-season NBA game in Manchester and the second NBA game in the city’s history. It comes three days after the Paris Game, where the Spurs are officially the home side, which makes the sequence unusual: the same two teams play twice in Europe, once in each role. The game is sold out, so the date matters mostly for planning travel, a watch party or a resale purchase. We will mention any change in schedule as soon as the league announces it, and the alert will send you an email. If you are planning to travel specifically for the game, a refundable booking is the safest way to protect your money against changes.
Are there tickets for the Manchester Game 2027?
The game is sold out. The NBA announced on 22 September 2026 that both the Paris and Manchester games were at full capacity, with about one million fans registered for tickets, a record for demand in Europe. There is no regular sale at present. The routes still available are the resale market, on recognised platforms that offer a buyer guarantee, and experience or hospitality packages, which bundle a seat with extras. Prices are set by sellers and are usually far above face value for a game like this one, so decide on a ceiling and compare the full price with fees. Be careful with offers received through messages or social networks, and rely on protected platforms. The free alert on this page will tell you if tickets return. Keep in mind that digital tickets are usually transferred through the official app, so make sure you understand the transfer procedure and the deadline before you pay anyone.
How do I get to Co-op Live for the NBA Manchester 2027 game?
The easiest way is to take the tram from Manchester city centre towards the Etihad Campus, where the arena stands. Trams will be crowded on the day, so leave a margin before the 3.30 pm tip-off, and consider a short walk if the platform is full. Rail travellers arrive at Piccadilly, the main station, and airport visitors can use the direct train and tram links from Manchester Airport. If you drive, expect limited parking and slow traffic on event days. Review the entry rules for bags and mobile tickets a few days before, and arrive early for security checks. Plan the return in advance, as Sunday rail services in January can be less frequent, and book your onward travel to avoid being stranded after the final buzzer. Fans from abroad should also keep some cash or a card with no foreign fees for the tram and for food, as queues at ticket machines can be long.
Can I watch both the Paris and Manchester Game 2027?
Yes, in principle, because the games are only three days apart: Thursday 14 January at Accor Arena in Paris, then Sunday 17 January at Co-op Live. Both are sold out, so you would need two resale tickets or two packages, which makes the budget an important question. Travel is simple, with direct flights between the two cities and rail alternatives with a change, but winter weather can disrupt plans, so leave a buffer on Saturday and avoid tight connections on game day. If you prefer a lighter option, choose one game and follow the other from home. Whichever you decide, keep your bookings flexible, compare the full costs including travel and use the alert to be notified of any ticket release. It also helps to confirm that your two tickets are for the correct date and arena before you travel, because mistakes are costly. Most fans find that booking the Manchester leg first and the Paris leg second gives them more flexibility, since the Sunday game depends on how you travel after the Thursday night.