Spurs-Pelicans games in Paris, Manchester sold out

The Spurs and Pelicans have sold out their two regular-season games in Europe next January, the NBA announced.

Approximately one million fans registered interest in tickets, the highest total ever recorded for NBA games in Europe, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN.

San Antonio and New Orleans will meet at Accor Arena in Paris on Jan. 14 before playing again three days later at Co-op Live in Manchester.

The games are part of the league’s multiyear agreement to stage regular-season contests in Europe.

The overwhelming ticket demand offers another indication of the NBA’s growing international reach. The league estimates that basketball has more than 270 million fans across Europe, making it the continent’s fastest-growing sport and second in popularity only to soccer.

European players also continue to occupy an increasingly prominent place in the league. A record 71 were on opening-night rosters last season, accounting for roughly 15 percent of NBA players. Five of the past eight MVP awards have also gone to European stars.