“We are Building From a Position of Real Strength”

From 2026 to 2028 the NBA will host six regular season games in arenas in Europe. The four involved venues boast a mix of newcomers, established partners and returning venues. Looking towards the ongoing discussions around a potential NBA Europe league, this might very well be a dress rehearsal for potential involvement is such a venture. stadiaworld asked the four venues what they expect from the games and how they see their role. For The O2 in London: Gael Caselli, Senior Vice President of Sport, AEG International.

Gael Caselli
Gael Caselli Image: AEG / The O2
stadiaworld: The O2 will once again host an NBA regular season game in 2026. How do you cooperate with the league for such a game? What special requirements are there? Do you need to upgrade or improve anything?
Caselli: Our approach with the NBA is built on a close, long-term partnership, but what really underpins our ability to deliver an event of this scale is the strength of The O2 itself right now. 2025 was a record-breaking year for The O2, and that success is down to the tireless work of our venue teams across every touchpoint who are truly best in class. Over the past 12 months, we’ve made significant upgrades across premium spaces, guest experience, production, and arena operations, ensuring the building is already future-ready for the biggest global events.

When we work with the NBA, it’s a genuinely collaborative process. And thanks to the continuous investment and improvements already in place at The O2, we’re not preparing to catch up for 2026 – we’re building from a position of real strength to deliver a world-class experience for fans, players and partners alike.