Students, Schools and Community Groups at London Lions

Basketball is one of the most popular sports among young people in England, and London Lions want every young Londoner to have the chance to watch, play and get involved. Whether you're organising a student night out, planning a school trip or looking for a club for your children, this page explains how the club works with students, schools and community groups, and how to get started.

Student nights at the basketball

A London Lions game is a social, easy-to-organise night out for flatmates, sports clubs and societies. It's indoors, fully seated and lasts around two hours, with bars and food inside the arena and plenty of affordable places to eat nearby in Stratford and Hackney Wick.

Societies and flats

• Sports clubs can use a game as a team social and a chance to watch professional players.
• International student societies often look for shared experiences that show a different side of London.
• Flatmates can use it as an easy night out with a clear start and finish.

Our guide to freshers week in London covers student nights, travel savings and budgeting tips.

School trips

A visit to a professional basketball game can support PE, personal development and an interest in sport. It gives pupils a chance to see elite athletes up close and experience a live event safely.

Planning a school trip to a game

• Choose a suitable game. Weekend afternoon games are easier for younger pupils; evening games suit older students. Most games are at the Copper Box Arena, but some are played at NCC Hackney, so check the venue on the fixture list.
• Plan supervision. Follow your school's own ratios and risk assessment process.
• Plan travel. Stratford station has step-free access to its main platforms, and the 388 bus stops outside the arena.
• Brief pupils. Bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller, and outside food and drink aren't allowed in the arena.

To arrange a group booking for a school, use the school visits page and include your preferred game, pupil and staff numbers, and any access needs.

Curriculum links

Free school visits from the London Lions Foundation

If you'd rather bring basketball to your school, the London Lions Foundation offers free school visits. A visit includes:

• a free assembly introducing basketball, the London Lions and how sport supports healthy living
• where the schedule allows, a Lions player joining the visit for questions
• a free beginner taster session led by Lions coaches, giving pupils their first hands-on time with a basketball

Pupils who enjoy it can continue at nearby Lions community sessions and clubs. To book, use the club's school visits page and include your school name, borough and rough pupil numbers.

Clubs and community groups

Youth clubs, sports clubs, charities and community groups can book group visits to games in the same way as schools. Start with the school visits page, or use the London Lions tickets page for smaller groups.

Accessibility for groups

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 mention access needs in your first enquiry and the club can plan seats for the whole group.

Playing basketball with the Lions

Youth sessions across London

London Lions run community basketball sessions across north, east, south and west London. No experience is needed, and beginners are welcome. To get started, find your borough on the club's youth basketball pages and register your interest. The club will send details of the nearest sessions.

• What to bring: trainers with clean soles, comfortable clothing and a water bottle. No ball is needed.
• Ages: the pathway runs from under-6 to senior basketball, grouped by age.
• Cost: varies by session and venue. Each session page lists its price.

Holiday camps

The club runs basketball holiday camps through the school holidays, including half-terms, Easter and summer. Camps welcome complete beginners as well as experienced club players, and are led by coaches from the Lions Academy and professional teams. Places often sell out, so book early.

From community sessions to the academy

The pathway starts with local community sessions and leads to the Lions Academy. Academy open days are advertised on the club's youth pages.

Safeguarding

Head coaches hold an enhanced DBS check and a Basketball England coaching qualification. Concerns can be raised with the coach or directly with the club.

Why basketball works for young people

Basketball is England's second most popular team sport after football, and more than a million children and young people play it every week, according to Basketball England. It needs little equipment, can be played indoors or outdoors and suits mixed groups.

What a free school visit looks like

A planning checklist for teachers

• Agree the trip with your school's educational visits coordinator.
• Choose a game and confirm numbers of pupils and staff.
• Send the club your request and any access or medical needs through the school visits page.
• Complete your school's risk assessment, including travel.
• Send parents the timings, travel plan and arena rules (small bags only, no outside food or drink, cashless).
• Agree a meeting point and a headcount routine for arrival, half-time and departure.

Why live sport trips matter

Seeing elite athletes in person can make sport feel real and achievable for young people. A game shows teamwork, discipline and resilience in action, and many pupils leave wanting to play. Combined with the club's free school visits and community sessions, a trip can be the start of a lasting interest in the sport.

For community groups

The same approach works for youth clubs, charities and community organisations. Tell the club about your group when you get in touch, so they can suggest the right game and seats.

How to book

Women's and girls' basketball

London Lions have a women's team, which plays home games at NCC Hackney in Hoxton, and the club runs girls-only sessions at selected holiday camps. Watching the women's team can be a strong introduction for girls who are new to the sport. Women's games have unallocated seating, doors open 30 minutes before tip-off, and you can bring your own food and drink, which makes them simpler for school and community groups. Tickets for women's games are on the London Lions tickets page.

Careers and volunteering in basketball

For older students, basketball offers more than playing. Coaching, refereeing, table officiating and statistics are all ways to stay involved, and the club's own Careers in Basketball programme offers pathways into off-court roles. Local clubs rely on volunteers, so volunteering with the Lions is a practical way to gain experience for a CV or a sports course.

1. London Lions Foundation — School visits
2. London Lions — Youth basketball
3. London Lions — Holiday camps
4. London Lions — NCC Academy
5. London Lions — Careers in basketball
6. London Lions — Frequently asked questions
7. London Lions — Tickets (including group bookings)
8. 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.