THE INDIA BASKETBALL LEAGUE (IBL), the be organised by ACG Sports in association with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), has announced the eight foundation cities to participate in the inaugural season, set for early 2027.
This initiative will feature structured competitive league in 5×5 and 3×3 formats for both men and women, establishing a comprehensive professional ecosystem that opens the door for athletes across the country to pursue basketball as a viable career, a media release said.
Fans will vote to decide which six cities from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Pune will participate in the first edition with the remaining two joining from the following season. The announcement was made at the BUDX NBA House in New Delhi with NBA legends DeMarcus Cousins, Isiah Thomas, and Vlade Divac in attendance.
To guide the league’s global strategy and operations, Jeremy Loeliger, Former CEO & Commissioner of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), has been appointed Director of ACG Sports. In his new role, Loeliger will lead the development of the league’s blueprint, bringing international standards of governance, competition, and commercial innovation to the Indian shores, the release said.
The complete league framework including team structures, competition formats, player eligibility, and governance models – is currently in development with input from global basketball experts and key industry stakeholders. Detailed announcements on participation guidelines, venue requirements, and operational protocols will follow in a phased rollout, the release added.
