Everything you asked

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions we get asked most, in two parts: coming to a game at the Copper Box, and getting your child into a London Lions session. If your question is not here, email us and we will add it.

Children taking part in a London Lions youth basketball session
Part one

Coming To A Game

Where do the London Lions play?

The men’s team plays at the Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London E20 3HB. The women’s team plays its home games at NCC Hackney.

How do I get to the Copper Box Arena?

Hackney Wick Overground is a five-minute walk. Stratford is about fifteen minutes on foot across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and is step-free on the Jubilee and Central line platforms and on the DLR, National Rail and London Overground. Travel assistance can be pre-booked on National Rail and Overground services. The 388 bus stops nearby.

Is there parking at the arena?

There is no parking at the arena itself, and public transport is strongly recommended. The nearest option is the multi-storey car park at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

What time do doors open?

Doors open 60 minutes before tip-off for men’s games at the Copper Box, and 30 minutes before tip for women’s games at NCC Hackney. The pre-show starts 30 minutes before tip-off, so come early.

How long does a game last?

Four quarters of ten minutes, plus a longer break at half-time. In practice, allow around two hours in the building from doors to final buzzer.

Which competitions do the Lions play in?

The men’s team competes in Super League Basketball, the top tier of British basketball, and in the EuroCup against clubs from across Europe.

How much are tickets?

It depends on the fixture and where you sit — every game is priced on its own. As a guide, adult seats for a Copper Box game currently start at around £12.70 on Ticketmaster, with the better lower-tier blocks running to roughly £24. Courtside, Dugout and VIP seats cost more. Season tickets for the whole home campaign are also sold through Ticketmaster.

Do children need their own ticket?

Children aged two and under come in free and do not need a ticket. From three years old every child needs their own seat, priced the same as an adult. Children under five cannot sit in Dugout, Courtside or Baseline seating.

Is it suitable for young children?

Yes. It is indoors, seated and about two hours from doors to final buzzer, and the noise is the point rather than something to survive. Children aged two and under come in free and do not need a ticket; from three years old every child needs their own.

Can I buy food and drink at the arena?

Yes, there are food and drink outlets inside the arena on game nights. The arena is cashless, so bring a card or your phone, and you cannot bring your own food or drink in with you.

What can I bring into the arena?

No bag larger than roughly A4 (30cm x 30cm x 30cm), and every bag is searched on the way in. There is nowhere at the arena to store bags or luggage. Umbrellas are fine if they fit inside a bag. Phones are fine, but cameras, video cameras and audio recording devices are not, and neither is outside food, drink, bottles or cans. Smoking and e-cigarettes are not permitted.

Does the arena take cash?

No. The Copper Box Arena is a cashless venue. Visa, Mastercard and Maestro are accepted at every bar and kiosk.

Do I have to sit in the seat on my ticket?

Yes, please use the seat printed on your ticket. Children under five are not permitted in Dugout, Courtside or Baseline seating.

Is there accessible seating?

Yes. The Copper Box is a registered accessible venue, with accessible toilets and changing rooms. Wheelchair and Ambulant tickets are booked online like any other seat: choose the ticket type on the Ticketmaster listing, set the quantity to one, and add the free companion ticket at the same time so you are sat together. Proof of eligibility is needed before the game and Ticketmaster will be in touch within 72 hours of your order. The arena publishes its own accessibility guide.

How do I collect tickets on the night?

If you are picking tickets up at the box office, only the person who bought them can collect. Bring the booking reference, photo ID and the card used to pay.

Part two

Youth Basketball

How do I get my child into a session?

Find your borough on the youth basketball page and register your interest. We will come back to you with the sessions running nearest to you and how to book a place.

Where are your sessions?

Across London, grouped into North, East, South and West. Every London borough has its own page showing what runs there and what is coming.

Does my child need to have played before?

No. Most children who come to us have never played organised basketball. Sessions are built so a complete beginner can turn up on their own and have a good time in the first ten minutes.

What should they bring?

Trainers with a clean sole for indoor courts, comfortable clothes they can move in, and a water bottle. They do not need a ball or any kit to start.

Is there a session near me if my borough is not listed yet?

Register your interest anyway. We open new areas based on where demand is strongest, so telling us where you are is the thing that actually moves your borough up the list.

Can my child play for the Lions?

There is a route from a first community session all the way through to our academy. It starts with turning up to a local session. Academy open days are advertised on the youth pages when they are running.

What ages do you run sessions for?

We are building a pathway that runs from Under-6 all the way through to senior adult basketball. Sessions are grouped by age so players are always alongside others at a similar stage. If you are not sure which group your child belongs in, get in touch and we will point you to the right one.

How much do sessions cost?

Pricing varies depending on the session type, the venue and how often your child attends, so there is no single price across the programme. The current cost is listed on the page for each session, or you can contact us and we will confirm what applies to you.

What safeguarding checks do your coaches have?

Every head coach holds an enhanced DBS check and a Basketball England Level 2 coaching qualification. We work to the safeguarding standards set by Basketball England, the national governing body for the sport — you can read their safeguarding policies and guidance in full on their website. If you ever have a concern about a session, speak to the coach on the day or email us and we will deal with it.

Still Stuck?

If your question is not answered here, email the club and we will get back to you — and add the answer to this page so the next person does not have to ask.