In an unprecedented move that will reshape the landscape of professional basketball, the NBA has announced the addition of two new teams to the league, set to begin play for the 2026 season. The expansion, unveiled on January 12, 2025, marks the first time the NBA will increase its number of teams since 2004, and it signals a new era for the league as it continues to grow its global footprint.
The two new franchises will be located in the cities of Seattle and Las Vegas, two markets that have long been discussed as prime candidates for NBA expansion. The new teams will bring the total number of NBA teams to 32, joining the ranks of the existing franchises and intensifying the competition across the league.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Seattle and Las Vegas as our newest NBA cities,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver during the official announcement. “These two cities represent the next chapter in the NBA’s growth, and they bring unique opportunities for expanding our fan base and reaching new audiences, both domestically and globally. This expansion will enhance the competitive balance of the league and provide even more opportunities for our players and fans.”
The decision to add teams in Seattle and Las Vegas follows years of speculation and negotiations. Seattle, home to the beloved SuperSonics, is widely seen as a long-awaited return to the NBA after the franchise was moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Sonics’ absence has been a sore spot for basketball fans in the Pacific Northwest, and the new team will be expected to quickly become a centerpiece of the region’s sports culture.
Las Vegas, on the other hand, has seen an explosive rise in its status as a major sports hub in recent years, with the arrival of the NFL’s Raiders and the NHL’s Golden Knights. The addition of an NBA team further solidifies the city’s place as a growing center for professional sports, capitalizing on its popularity as a destination for both tourists and locals.
While the team names and colors are still to be announced, both cities are expected to begin the process of building their rosters through the 2025 and 2026 NBA Drafts, with each new team allowed to select players and build a competitive squad before the official start of the season. The NBA has also confirmed that the expansion teams will participate in the annual draft lottery, giving them a fair shot at acquiring top talent.
“We are excited to bring an NBA franchise back to Seattle and introduce the league to the vibrant sports culture in Las Vegas,” said Silver. “Both cities have demonstrated a passion for basketball and sports in general, and we are confident these teams will not only thrive but help take the NBA to new heights.”
The expansion will have significant implications for the NBA in terms of revenue generation, media rights deals, and scheduling. With two additional teams, the NBA will explore changes to the regular-season schedule to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the league. It is expected that there will be a reworking of divisions and conferences to incorporate the new teams, which could potentially result in more games on the schedule and adjustments to the playoff format.
The announcement has been met with excitement across the basketball world, with fans and players alike anticipating the next phase of the NBA’s growth. Seattle and Las Vegas will undoubtedly bring fresh energy to the league, and the introduction of new franchises is expected to generate a surge in interest both in the U.S. and internationally.
As the NBA prepares for this historic expansion, the league is poised to continue its momentum as one of the world’s most popular and influential sports organizations. With the addition of Seattle and Las Vegas, the NBA is furthering its global vision, bringing the excitement of professional basketball to new regions and ensuring that the future of the game is as dynamic and inclusive as ever.
