American Express has signed on as an associate partner for the NBA Manchester Game 2027, joining a sold-out regular-season fixture between the New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs at Co-op Live on January 17, 2027, as Sport Industry Group reported.
American Express Partnership Grants Cardholders Presale Access
- Global Exposure: The fixture brings Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs to the UK outside London for the first time, driving international media value.
- Card Member Perks: Expanded multiyear partnership terms grant American Express cardholders presale access to major league events including the NBA Draft and NBA All-Star.
Expanding the Global Footprint to Manchester
The upcoming fixture marks only the second NBA game ever staged in Manchester and the first since 2013. It also serves as the inaugural regular-season NBA contest to take place in the United Kingdom outside of London.
Neither the Pelicans nor the Spurs have played in England before. The San Antonio roster for the matchup is expected to feature Victor Wembanyama, with the venue already completely sold out.
Multiyear Sponsorship Rollout Across Three Continents
The Manchester engagement forms a core element of a multiyear expansion agreement between the financial services giant and the NBA alongside the WNBA. American Express will also serve as an associate partner for the NBA Paris Game 2027, where the Pelicans and Spurs face off three days prior on January 14, and for the NBA Mexico City Game scheduled for November 7.
In addition to these international fixtures, the brand will present selected NBA Houses—the league’s fan venues built around major events. Card Members gain reserved ticket access and presale privileges for marquee dates like the Emirates NBA Cup Championship, alongside distinct perks tied to NBA ID, the league’s free membership programme. The agreement simultaneously establishes a new partnership with USA Basketball.
| Event / Activation | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Mexico City Game | November 7 | Mexico City, Mexico |
| NBA Manchester Game 2027 | January 17, 2027 | Co-op Live, Manchester |
Community Programming and Global Broadcast Reach
Alongside the main event at Co-op Live, the NBA, Spurs, and Pelicans will execute a comprehensive slate of fan events across Manchester. The schedule includes Jr. NBA and Her Time to Play youth clinics, coach and referee development sessions, and community initiatives through NBA Cares.
The fixture will reach audiences in more than 200 countries and territories via international broadcast partners.
Elizabeth Rutledge, Chief Marketing Officer at American Express, stated that sports possess a unique power to bring people together, noting that the brand is creating more ways for Card Members to experience what they love as global partnerships expand. Kerry Tatlock, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing Partnerships and Media at the NBA, added that the league is thrilled to build upon longstanding partnership success to deliver programs to fans worldwide.
American Express enters an existing sponsor group for the Manchester fixture that already features AWS, AB InBev, C4, Foot Locker, Emirates, Nike, Sprite, and Tissot.
