A London Lions basketball game is a birthday outing that works for almost any age. It's indoors, seated and lasts around two hours, with music and entertainment throughout. Book seats together for a home game at the Copper Box Arena, email the club about group bookings, and add lunch or an activity in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to make a day of it.
Can I book a group of tickets for a birthday?
Finding a birthday idea in London that suits everyone is harder than it sounds. Children want excitement, teenagers want something worth posting about, and adults want an easy plan that doesn't fall apart if it rains. A live London Lions game ticks every box. This guide explains why, how to book for a group, and how to turn a game into a full birthday day out in east London.
What makes a great birthday outing in London?
Before comparing ideas, it helps to know what makes a birthday plan work. Most successful group outings share five things.
| What matters | Why it matters | How a Lions game measures up |
|---|---|---|
| Works for mixed ages | Birthdays often bring together children, parents and grandparents. | Children aged two and under go free. Games are seated, and the action needs no explanation. |
| Weatherproof | British weather can undo an outdoor plan at the last minute. | The Copper Box is fully indoor and covered. |
| A fixed start time | Guests know exactly when to arrive, and the day has a natural shape. | Doors open 60 minutes before tip-off; the pre-show starts 30 minutes before. |
| Easy to reach | Guests are often travelling from different parts of London. | Hackney Wick and Stratford stations are both within walking distance. |
| Something to talk about | The best birthdays create a shared memory. | Fast scoring, close finishes and a home crowd make every game different. |
Why a basketball game works as a birthday outing
For children's birthdays
Basketball is England's second most popular team sport after football, according to Basketball England, and more than a million children and young people play it every week. So there's a good chance the birthday child, or their friends, already play at school or in a club. Watching professional players up close turns a playground game into something bigger. Breaks in play are filled with music and entertainment, so younger children rarely lose interest.
Children aged three and over need their own ticket, at the adult price. Children under five can't sit in courtside, dugout or baseline seats, so for younger guests, book together in the lower tier.
For teenagers
Teenagers often follow basketball through the NBA, which has staged regular-season games at The O2 in London since 2011. A London Lions game gives them professional basketball in their own city, with players they can follow all season. It also feels grown-up: a proper arena, a big crowd and a night out with friends.
For adult and milestone birthdays
For adults, a game makes an easy group plan that isn't another dinner reservation. The arena has a bar, there's time for food before or after, and the evening has a clear end point. Courtside, dugout and VIP seats offer a special treat for a milestone birthday, while the lower tier keeps a large group together.
How to book a birthday group at a London Lions game
- Pick your game. Check the London Lions fixture list and choose a home game at the Copper Box. Weekend afternoon games suit younger children; evening games suit teenagers and adults. Some men's home games are played at NCC Hackney. Always check the venue on the fixture list and your ticket before you travel.
- Count your guests. Include every child aged three or over, because each needs a seat. Under-twos go free without a ticket.
- Decide where to sit. The 100s (lower tier) keep a group close to the action. Courtside and baseline seats aren't open to children under five.
- Book together. For smaller groups, book seats side by side through the London Lions tickets page. For larger groups, schools and clubs, email the club at office@thelondonlions.com to arrange a group booking.
- Plan for accessibility. Wheelchair and ambulant tickets, with a free companion ticket, are booked through Ticketmaster.
- Share the details. Send guests the arrival time, the bag rules and the travel options a few days before.
A tip for organisers
Only the person who bought the tickets can collect them from the box office, and they need photo ID and the card used to pay. If you're the organiser, keep the tickets on your phone, or make sure you arrive first.
Make a day of it in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
The Copper Box sits inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which is free to enter every day. Pair the game with one of the park's attractions for a full birthday day out.
Before the game
- ArcelorMittal Orbit: the red sculpture-tower beside London Stadium has viewing platforms over east London and a tunnel slide for ages eight and up. Tickets are limited, so book ahead.
- London Aquatics Centre: the 2012 Olympic pool runs public and family swimming sessions.
- Lee Valley VeloPark: track cycling, BMX and mountain biking for groups with energy to burn.
- Tumbling Bay Playground and the park's other play areas: free and ideal for younger children before a game.
- East Bank: the park's cultural quarter, home to V&A East and Sadler's Wells East.
Plan your visit using the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park visitor guide, which lists what's open and what's on.
Where to eat
Food and drink are on sale inside the Copper Box, but you can't bring your own in, and the arena is cashless. For a birthday meal, Westfield Stratford City is a short walk away and fully under cover. Hackney Bridge, on the Hackney Wick side of the park, has independent food stalls. The park also has cafés and restaurants around Here East and East Village.
Three sample birthday plans
| Who it's for | Before the game | The game | After |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family with younger children | An hour at Tumbling Bay Playground, then lunch at Westfield Stratford City | A weekend afternoon game, seated together in the lower tier | Cake at home or a café on the way back |
| Teenage friends | The ArcelorMittal Orbit slide, or a session at Lee Valley VeloPark | An evening game, arriving when doors open to watch the warm-up | Food at Hackney Bridge or Westfield before heading home |
| Adult or milestone birthday | Drinks and dinner near Hackney Wick | Courtside or VIP seats for the birthday guest, lower tier for the group | A drink nearby while the crowds clear from the stations |
Planning a birthday on a budget
A birthday at a game doesn't have to be expensive. Ticket prices vary by fixture and seat, so a little planning goes a long way.
- Choose your tier. Upper-tier seats in the 200s give a full view of the court and are usually the lowest-priced option. They suit larger groups well.
- Book early. Seats together are easier to find when you book well ahead, especially for weekend games.
- Use what's free. Under-twos go free, and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, its playgrounds and its riverside paths cost nothing to visit.
- Ask about groups. If you're bringing a large party, a school class or a club team, email the club before booking to ask about group arrangements.
Check current prices for your chosen game on Ticketmaster before you invite guests, so everyone knows the cost up front.
Practical tips for a smooth birthday
- Arrive when doors open. Doors open 60 minutes before tip-off, and every bag is searched. A group takes longer to get through, so build in extra time.
- Travel light. Bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller, and there is no bag storage. Leave presents and large cakes at home or at your restaurant.
- Use public transport. There is no general parking at the arena. Our guide to getting to the Copper Box Arena covers every route.
- Brief first-timers. Share our guide to your first London Lions game, so guests know what to expect.
- Keep it going. If the birthday child loves it, the club's youth basketball sessions run across London, and beginners are welcome.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book a group of tickets for a birthday?
Yes. For smaller groups, book seats together on Ticketmaster through the London Lions tickets page. For larger groups, schools and clubs, email the club at office@thelondonlions.com to arrange a group booking.
What age is a basketball game suitable for?
Games suit all ages. Children aged two and under go free without a ticket, and children aged three and over need their own seat. Children under five can't sit in courtside, dugout or baseline seats, so families with young children usually choose the lower tier.
Can I bring a birthday cake into the Copper Box?
No. Outside food and drink aren't allowed into the Copper Box, and bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller. Plan your cake moment for a meal before or after the game, at a restaurant or at home.
What else is there to do near the Copper Box Arena?
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is free to enter and includes the ArcelorMittal Orbit, London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark, playgrounds and the East Bank cultural quarter. Westfield Stratford City and Hackney Bridge are both close by for food.
How long should I plan for a birthday at a game?
Allow around two hours at the arena, from doors opening to the final buzzer. Add travel time and any activity or meal before or after. Most groups plan a half-day for the whole outing.
For anything else, see the London Lions FAQs.
Sources and references
- London Lions — Tickets (including group bookings)
- London Lions — Frequently asked questions
- NBA — NBA London Game: everything to know
- Basketball England — Basketball participation in England at highest levels since Active Lives records began
- FIBA — Statement on the British Basketball Federation and direct recognition of Super League Basketball
- Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park — Plan your visit
- Copper Box Arena — Find us
This article was checked against the sources above. Fixtures, prices and venue arrangements can change, so always check the latest details on the London Lions website before you travel.
