NBA Returns to Germany for First Regular-Season Game at Uber Arena
The Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies take the court Thursday in Berlin for a landmark moment in NBA history—the first regular-season game the league has ever hosted in Germany. The matchup at Uber Arena marks a significant milestone for basketball in Europe and carries special meaning for three German-born Magic players competing in their home country.
Franz Wagner, his brother Moritz Wagner, and Tristan da Silva will play before home crowds as the Magic face off against the Grizzlies in what promises to be an emotional and competitive affair. “To have the Orlando Magic and the NBA play a regular-season game in our hometown of Berlin means everything to us,” the Wagner brothers said in a statement. “Growing up here, we dreamed of moments like this. It’s a huge honor to represent Berlin and Germany and show how much the city and country love basketball.”
The game features two squads with star power on both sides. The Grizzlies bring two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., a two-time All-Star and 2022-23 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The Magic vs Grizzlies matchup will test Orlando’s depth and talent against Memphis’s proven postseason experience.
A Homecoming for German Players
Da Silva, who hails from Bavaria in southeast Germany, arrived in Berlin ready to inspire the next generation of German basketball fans. The significance of German players competing at the professional level in their native country cannot be overstated—it represents the globalization of the NBA and the league’s commitment to growing the sport internationally.
The timing of the game allows both teams to kick off a crucial stretch of the season while expanding the NBA’s global footprint. The Grizzlies arrive in Germany fresh off a victory against the Brooklyn Nets, while the Magic prepared for the high-profile matchup during their European journey.
London Awaits This Weekend
The Magic and Grizzlies won’t stay in Berlin long. Following Thursday’s historic game, both teams will travel to London for a Sunday matchup at The O2 arena, continuing a three-year slate of NBA regular-season games across Europe. This European doubleheader underscores the league’s strategic expansion efforts to cultivate international fan bases and provide unique experiences for global audiences.
The Berlin game starts Thursday evening at Uber Arena, with limited premium ticket packages still available through NBA Experiences and official ticketing partners.
