A London Lions basketball game makes an easy, inclusive team social. It's indoors and seated, starts at a fixed time and lasts around two hours, with bars and food inside the Copper Box Arena in Stratford. Book seats together for small teams, or email the club about group bookings for larger groups, then add food or drinks nearby.
Is a basketball game a good team social for people who don't like sport?
Most teams have done the pub quiz, the escape room and the long dinner. They work, but they rarely bring everyone together. A good team social gives people a shared experience to talk about, works for colleagues with different interests and energy levels, and is simple to organise. This guide explains what makes a team social work, why a live basketball game ticks the boxes, and how to plan one from first email to final buzzer.
What makes a good team social?
The best team socials share a few qualities, whatever the size of the team or the budget.
- Everyone can take part. Not everyone drinks, not everyone likes competitive games, and not everyone wants a late night.
- Conversation comes easily. A shared focus gives people something to talk about beyond work.
- It has a clear shape. A fixed start and finish make it easier for people with caring responsibilities or long commutes to join in.
- It's easy to reach. A central or well-connected venue avoids a difficult journey home.
- It feels like a treat. The best socials feel different from the working week.
Mixed teams and different interests
You don't need to be a sports fan to enjoy a basketball game. The scoring is fast and constant, the arena music and entertainment fill every break, and close games often go down to the final seconds. Colleagues who have never watched basketball usually pick up the basics within a quarter. Those who follow the NBA will enjoy seeing professional players up close.
Inclusive and accessible options
A game doesn't revolve around alcohol, although the arena has bars for those who want a drink. Food and soft drinks are on sale inside, and the arena is fully seated and indoors. The Copper Box is a registered accessible venue with accessible toilets and changing rooms. Wheelchair and ambulant tickets come with a free companion ticket, so colleagues with access needs can sit with the team.
Why live sport works for teams
Watching live sport together creates a shared reference point, the kind of “were you there when…” moment that office socials rarely produce. Basketball suits this particularly well:
- It moves fast. Teams have 24 seconds to shoot, so the score changes constantly and there's little downtime.
- It's close to the action. The Copper Box holds around 6,000 people, and the seating wraps closely around the court.
- It's a manageable length. Four 10-minute quarters with breaks fit into around two hours.
- It's an occasion. Player introductions, a home crowd and a pre-show make the evening feel like an event.
For colleagues new to the game, share the club's first-game guide with them before the night.
How to book a team night at a Lions game
Step 1: choose the fixture
Most men's home games at the Copper Box are in the evening, which suits an after-work social, and some fall on weekend afternoons. Check the fixture list on the club website and choose a date that avoids busy periods at work. Friday evening games make a natural end-of-week social. Some domestic games are played at NCC Hackney rather than the Copper Box, so always check the venue on the fixture list and your ticket before you travel.
Step 2: decide on seats
- Lower tier (the 100s): close to the action and good for keeping a team together.
- Upper tier (the 200s): a full view of the court and usually the lowest-priced seats, which suits larger groups.
- Courtside, Dugout and VIP: priced higher, and well suited to rewarding a small team or marking a big result.
Group bookings by email
For a small team, buy seats together on Ticketmaster through the London Lions tickets page. For larger groups, email the club at office@thelondonlions.com with your preferred game, the number of guests and any access needs. Booking early gives you the best chance of seats together.
Choosing seats for a group
Seats in the same row are easier to find for smaller groups. For larger teams, two or three rows in the same block keep everyone together and make it easy to talk at half-time. If some colleagues need accessible seating, mention it in your first email so the club can plan the group around them.
Step 3: send the details
A week before, send colleagues the date, the doors-open time, the bag rules and travel options. Doors open 60 minutes before tip-off and the pre-show starts 30 minutes before. Bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller, and the arena is cashless. Our guide to getting to the Copper Box Arena covers every route from central London.
Pair the game with food and drinks in Stratford
The Copper Box sits in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, so there are plenty of options before or after the game.
- Westfield Stratford City is a short walk away, under cover, with a wide choice of restaurants and bars suited to groups.
- Hackney Bridge, on the Hackney Wick side of the park, has independent food stalls and space for groups.
- Hackney Wick has canal-side bars and restaurants a few minutes from the arena.
Outside food and drink can't be taken into the arena, so plan meals before or after rather than bringing food with you.
Sample team social plans
| Team size | Suggested plan | Booking tip |
|---|---|---|
| Small teams (6–15) | Early dinner in Stratford, then an evening game in lower-tier seats | Book seats together online as soon as the date is agreed |
| Whole department (16–50) | Drinks at Hackney Bridge, the game, then an optional drink afterwards | Email the club with numbers and any access needs |
| Client and team mixed events | Hospitality seats for guests, with the wider team nearby | See our Corporate Playbook for hosting options |
Small teams (6–15)
A small team can keep it simple. Meet at Stratford after work, eat together, then walk through the park to the arena. Seats in one row of the lower tier make it easy to chat, and the evening wraps up in time for a reasonable journey home.
Whole department (16–50)
For a bigger group, pick a meeting point near the arena, such as Hackney Bridge, so people arriving from different offices can find each other. Name one organiser to hold the tickets on their phone, because only the buyer can collect tickets from the box office.
Client and team mixed events
If you're mixing a team social with client entertainment, consider hospitality seats for guests. Our Corporate Playbook explains the options for businesses, from team nights to hosting.
Practical tips for organisers
- Agree the date early. Popular fixtures sell well, and group seats together are easier to find in advance.
- Ask about access needs and dietary needs when you invite people, not on the night.
- Keep the plan alcohol-optional. Make the game the main event, so everyone is included.
- Plan the journey home. Stratford has the most lines and the most frequent services after the final buzzer.
- Share a short rules guide. First-timers enjoy the game more when they know what's happening.
Budget and approvals
Many employers fund an annual staff event. HMRC treats an annual party or social function as exempt from tax for employees when it is open to all staff and stays within a cost-per-head limit. Check the current rules in HMRC's guidance on social functions and parties, and speak to your finance team before booking.
A tip for organisers
If your team includes people who like to celebrate together outside work too, our guide to group activities in London has ideas for birthdays, leaving dos and reunions.
Frequently asked questions
Is a basketball game a good team social for people who don't like sport?
Usually, yes. Games are fast, loud and short, with music and entertainment in every break, and the rules are easy to pick up. Most people treat it as a night out with a show rather than a sports fixture, and the shared experience gives colleagues plenty to talk about.
How do I book tickets for a large work group?
For small teams, book seats together on Ticketmaster through the London Lions tickets page. For larger groups, email office@thelondonlions.com with your preferred game, the number of guests and any accessibility needs, and the club will help with group arrangements.
How long does a team social at a game take?
Doors open 60 minutes before tip-off, and a game lasts around two hours from doors to the final buzzer. Most teams allow three to four hours, including a meal or drinks before or after, plus travel time.
Can we eat and drink inside the arena?
Yes. Food and drink, including alcohol, are on sale at bars and kiosks inside the Copper Box, which is cashless. You can't bring in your own food or drink, so many teams eat at Westfield Stratford City or Hackney Bridge first.
Is the Copper Box Arena accessible for colleagues with disabilities?
The Copper Box is a registered accessible venue with accessible toilets and changing rooms. Wheelchair and ambulant tickets come with a free companion ticket. Stratford station has step-free access to its main platforms.
For anything else, see the London Lions FAQs.
Sources and references
- London Lions — Tickets (including group bookings)
- London Lions — Frequently asked questions
- London Lions — Copper Box Arena
- Copper Box Arena — Find us
- Copper Box Arena — Accessibility information
- GOV.UK — Expenses and benefits: social functions and parties (what's exempt)
- Basketball England — Basketball participation in England at highest levels since Active Lives records began
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.
