Rome’s Foro Italico to house new covered arena for NBA Europe from 2027.Rome is preparing to host a key piece of the planned NBA Europe competition, with the historic Stadio Centrale del Tennis at the Foro Italico set to be transformed into a modern covered arena capable of hosting professional basketball and other major events.  Officials from Sport e Salute have confirmed that after the conclusion of the 2026 Internazionali d’Italia tennis tournament, work will begin on installing a retractable roof and structural upgrades at the Centrale, one of the city’s most iconic sports venues. The renovation is expected to be completed by summer 2027, in line with the current launch schedule for NBA Europe in October 2027.  In its new configuration, the arena will seat about 13,500 spectators, an increase over previous plans, and meet standards suitable for top-level international basketball events. Although no official NBA franchise has been confirmed for Rome yet, the infrastructure upgrade is seen as a necessary step toward giving the Italian capital a permanent home for elite competition on a European scale.  The project involves an estimated investment of around €60 million, and goes beyond simply adding a roof. Planners envision the renovated Centrale as a year-round venue for sports, concerts and cultural events, with expanded facilities including fan zones, commercial spaces, hospitality areas, lounges, offices and panoramic views over the Foro Italico sports district.  Rome’s push to modernise the Centrale also ties into broader ambitions across Italian basketball. At a recent Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro federal council meeting, leaders emphasised the strategic importance of ensuring the capital is prepared both technically and commercially for the arrival of NBA Europe, and for the possibility of a future top-level Italian team participating in the continental league.  The historic Stadio Centrale del Tennis is better known today for hosting the annual Internazionali d’Italia, part of the international tennis circuit, but its transformation marks a significant shift in its role within Rome’s sporting landscape.  As renovation plans move forward, the Foro Italico is being reimagined not just as a seasonal venue for tennis but as a central node in Rome’s sports and entertainment ecosystem, capable of attracting global audiences and high-profile events throughout the year. 

Rome is preparing to host a key piece of the planned NBA Europe competition, with the historic Stadio Centrale del Tennis at the Foro Italico set to be transformed into a modern covered arena capable of hosting professional basketball and other major events.  Officials from Sport e Salute have confirmed that after the conclusion of the 2026 Internazionali d’Italia tennis tournament, work will begin on installing a retractable roof and structural upgrades at the Centrale, one of the city’s most iconic sports venues. The renovation is expected to be completed by summer 2027, in line with the current launch schedule for NBA Europe in October 2027.  In its new configuration, the arena will seat about 13,500 spectators, an increase over previous plans, and meet standards suitable for top-level international basketball events. Although no official NBA franchise has been confirmed for Rome yet, the infrastructure upgrade is seen as a necessary step toward giving the Italian capital a permanent home for elite competition on a European scale.  The project involves an estimated investment of around €60 million, and goes beyond simply adding a roof. Planners envision the renovated Centrale as a year-round venue for sports, concerts and cultural events, with expanded facilities including fan zones, commercial spaces, hospitality areas, lounges, offices and panoramic views over the Foro Italico sports district.  Rome’s push to modernise the Centrale also ties into broader ambitions across Italian basketball. At a recent Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro federal council meeting, leaders emphasised the strategic importance of ensuring the capital is prepared both technically and commercially for the arrival of NBA Europe, and for the possibility of a future top-level Italian team participating in the continental league.  The historic Stadio Centrale del Tennis is better known today for hosting the annual Internazionali d’Italia, part of the international tennis circuit, but its transformation marks a significant shift in its role within Rome’s sporting landscape.  As renovation plans move forward, the Foro Italico is being reimagined not just as a seasonal venue for tennis but as a central node in Rome’s sports and entertainment ecosystem, capable of attracting global audiences and high-profile events throughout the year.