The NBA Arrived in Europe for the 2026 Games, Here’s What Went Down
We headed to the Berlin and London legs of the Memphis Grizzlies v Orlando Magic to capture the energy.
The NBA has a long history of traveling with its teams, giving fans around the world the opportunity to watch the most renowned basketball league live from their home country.
This year was no different. And with 135 international players currently in the league — 71 of them from Europe — it was only right that 2026 started on a high in the continent.
Last week, the NBA took over Berlin, Germany and London, UK, with a series of events leading up to the Memphis Grizzlies v Orlando Magic games through its NBA House spaces. From Nike-curated workshops and panel talks to 3×3 tournaments and the debut of Ja Morant’s player-exclusive signature sneaker, basketball fans got a holistic NBA experience beyond the main event.
Arriving at the Uber Arena in Berlin last Thursday, the Orlando Magic — with players representing Germany, including the Wagner brothers and Tristan da Silva — felt at home with their win. While the rematch at The O2 in London on Sunday saw the Memphis Grizzlies settle the score.
Hypebeast went behind the scenes to experience the energy of the events. As well as getting exclusive access to the team’s practice sessions and sitting courtside to get a glimpse of who’s who – here’s what we captured from our time in both cities.
Around the World
Putting a Hypebeast spin on an all-time classic game, we went inside the teams’ practice sessions before the matches. Putting the Grizzlies’ forward GG Jackson and center Jock Landale head-to-head in Berlin, and the Magic’s Tristan Da Silva, Wendell Carter Jr and Moritz Wagner, we tested their team’s trivia in this Around the World.
What’s on Your Feed
Who’s ghosted a DM? Who’s your most famous follower? Story of your oldest fit pic? We asked the Magic’s Tyus Jones, Anthony Black, Goga Bitadze, Tristan Da Silva, Wendell Carter Jr and Moritz Wagner, and the Grizzlies’ young stars Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells, What’s on Your Feed?
Game Fits
Whether it’s capturing people courtside in Berlin or celebrities walking the red carpet in London, here’s how people showed up at the NBA in Europe with fits that made a statement.
In London With AZ
We enlisted photographer and founder of Pay Your Shooter, AZ, to capture the vibe of the London event through her lens. From getting live reactions from people at The O2 to seeing who the UK superfans are rooting for, she also caught up with the likes of FD and Henrie to hear their thoughts on having the NBA come to their city.
Community Highlights
Rounding off the NBA Europe Games 2026, we hit the floor after the London game to get our community’s immediate highlights — asking Mowalola, TJ Saw, Sainté and Craig Mitch which team came with the better energy. Check out the video to see if Memphis or Orlando took the crown.
