London Lions has appointed two agencies to support with the feasibility study for the club’s proposed new arena.
Trivandi and The Sports Consultancy Group have been confirmed as lead advisors for the first phase of the arena feasibility study, marking a major milestone in the Lions’ long-term ambition to develop a world-class, purpose-built indoor arena.
The arena, which intends to have a minimum capacity of 10,000 seats, will become the permanent home for professional basketball in the capital, providing a platform for top-tier competition, while fostering grassroots development and expanding access to the sport for communities across the city.
The proposals, which were announced earlier this year, include plans to create a cutting-edge training and game-day environment for elite athletes, including the London Lions men’s and women’s teams. The venue would serve as a hub for youth programmes, community engagement initiatives and talent development, ensuring that basketball continues to grow at all levels in the capital.
Working in close collaboration with the Mayor of London’s office, London & Partners and Opportunity London, the agencies will lead an in-depth strategic and commercial assessment for the new venue.
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth and Chair of London & Partners, said:
“London is the sporting capital of the world and the Mayor and I are pleased to support the London Lions as they pursue their vision to establish a new state-of-the-art basketball facility in our city.
“This feasibility study is an important step in delivering the club’s proposed new arena, which can provide a major hub for basketball in the capital to significantly boost our economy, as we continue building a better and more prosperous London for everyone.”
The study will evaluate location options, delivery models, and investment frameworks, and will also include a detailed economic and social impact analysis to ensure the project delivers lasting value for Londoners.
Lenz Balan, President and CEO of the London Lions said:
“We are proud to partner with two of the world’s leading firms in sports infrastructure and venue strategy. This arena is about more than just basketball; it’s about building something that reflects the ambition and diversity of London.
“It will be a modern venue capable of hosting the most elite of basketball competition, while anchoring a wider ecosystem that gives back to the community. That includes exploring a standalone basketball community centre, developing a best-in-class academy and elite player pathway, and finding new ways to unlock access to indoor courts across London.
“We want to ensure that more young people, regardless of background, can afford to play and dream big. We’re grateful to the Mayor’s office and London & Partners for their partnership in making this vision possible.”
As one of Europe’s fastest-growing basketball clubs, the London Lions’ commitment to building both infrastructure and opportunity sets a new standard for professional sports development in the UK.
In addition to the arena feasibility, the Lions are actively exploring opportunities to develop dedicated community basketball centres across the capital, which would support grassroots development, coaching education, and academy training. This intendeds to serve as a permanent resource for young people across London and as a cornerstone of the club’s investment in local communities.
Peter Griffin, Executive Director at Trivandi, added:
“This project is a chance to create a lasting legacy in the city where Trivandi was founded – delivering not just a world-class home for basketball and major events, but a catalyst for economic growth and community opportunity.
“We’re bringing the best of our global experience in venue development and operations to help shape a destination that drives investment, inspires future generations, and opens up access to sport and entertainment for all.”
Tom Pinnington, Director at The Sports Consultancy, said:
“The Sports Consultancy is delighted to be working with Trivandi and London Lions on this important initial feasibility study. Our work will refine the vision for a new multi-purpose arena, testing key elements of the scheme to identify the most viable and deliverable option.
“The output from our work will be a clear project brief, underpinned by a robust outline business case, to carry forward to the next stages of development.”
Further information on the project will be unveiled in due course.