Paris Basketball to Compete in Inaugural London Lions Invitational Preseason Tournament

Le Paris Basketball will travel to the United Kingdom to participate in the inaugural London Lions Invitational, facing EuroLeague opponent Žalgiris Kaunas on September 10, 2026, at the Copper Box Arena, according to reports from europesays.com. The two-day preseason event runs through September 11 and features a four-team field designed to test continental heavyweights ahead of the domestic and European campaigns.

Tournament Field and Schedule at the Copper Box Arena

The preseason showcase brings together four clubs for competitive preparation in the British capital: the host London Lions, Paris Basketball, Žalgiris Kaunas, and Śląsk Wrocław, as reported by europesays.com. Action tips off on September 10, with Paris Basketball squaring off against Žalgiris Kaunas at 20:30 local time.

The tournament format guarantees two matches for every participating club across the two-day window. Following the opening night fixtures, the winners advance to the tournament final scheduled for September 11 at 20:30, while the two losing sides contest the third-place match earlier that evening at 17:30.

High-Profile Rosters Head to London

The competition provides British basketball fans an early look at several high-profile offseason acquisitions across the participating rosters. Warren.

Across the floor in the opening fixture, Žalgiris Kaunas brings Jonas Valančiūnas to the British capital. The 34-year-old, measuring 2.11 meters, anchors the roster for the Kaunas outfit as they prepare for another demanding EuroLeague schedule.

Renewing European Rivalries

Should results break a certain way on opening night, the schedule could feature a rematch between Paris Basketball and the host London Lions during the second day of competition. The two organizations previously met in the semifinals of the 2024 EuroCup, a series won by the French side before they went on to claim the trophy.

The London Lions highlighted that meeting when launching tournament publicity, noting that a potential clash carries unfinished business from their previous European encounters. The London club is organizing the invitational alongside preparations for a separate appearance in NBA preseason fixtures in Portland, marking a busy autumn of international exposure.

« C’est formidable d’accueillir à Londres des clubs de ce calibre dans le cadre de notre préparation de présaison », stated Steve Devereux, CEO of the London Lions, as reported by europesays.com. « Cette annonce, qui intervient peu après celle de notre participation à la présaison NBA à Portland, soutient et réaffirme notre ambition de devenir une marque mondiale du basket. »

Ownership ties also connect several participants in the tournament structure. The London Lions are owned by the Lithuanian company Tesonet and maintain an agreement with Žalgiris Kaunas to benefit from their advice.

Next Steps for Paris Basketball

Following their opening match against Žalgiris Kaunas on September 10, Paris Basketball will return to the Copper Box Arena hardwood on September 11 for either the championship final or the third-place playoff, depending on their semifinal result. The matches serve as vital preparation markers before official league and continental fixtures resume.