The San Antonio Spurs have submitted a request to the Bexar County Commissioners Court, seeking permission to play four of their regular-season home games at venues other than the Frost Bank Center during the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 NBA seasons. This proposal comes as the team continues to grow and attract a global fan base, while local leaders weigh the benefits and drawbacks of such a move.

The Spurs’ request is the latest in a series of amendments to their non-relocation agreement, which was initially established to ensure the team’s commitment to San Antonio. The agreement has been modified several times in the past, most notably in 2026 when the team was allowed to play one game in Austin and another in Mexico City. This flexibility was intended to help the Spurs expand their business and connect with fans beyond the Alamo City.

The Spurs’ Request and the Community’s Response

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai has expressed openness to the Spurs’ latest request, citing the team’s recent playoff success and the economic benefits it brings to the community. ‘We now know they have the best player in the league, and they’re going to have to pay a maximum salary,’ Sakai said. ‘They’re going to have to have a city that is going to show full commitment, otherwise that star player could say I’m leaving, because that star player can command whatever he wants.’

However, not all local leaders share Sakai’s enthusiasm. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has been using the playoff run to negotiate more financial contributions from the team and its investors for the city’s portion of the new arena deal. ‘I think we have to cheer hard for the team, and be cognizant of [the fact that] they will very likely be champions — I’m knocking on wood — and the day afterwards, we will still have a $131 million budget gap going into [fiscal year] 2028,’ Jones said.

The Economic Impact of the Spurs’ Request

The Spurs’ proposal has sparked discussions about the economic impact of playing home games outside of San Antonio. While some argue that these games could generate additional revenue and exposure for the team, others are concerned about the potential loss of income for the local community. ‘We’re going to look and make sure that we’re not losing any money because we’re allowing that,’ Sakai said. ‘The Spurs will come in and give us their explanation and justifications, and they may get some comments about, “Well, what about the loss of revenue of those home games?”’

Spurs spokeswoman Liberty Swift emphasized that the team would continue to play the same number of regular-season home games each year. ‘What the amendment does is provide flexibility to play a limited number of those existing home games in locations outside Frost Bank Center,’ Swift said. ‘That flexibility supports our longstanding strategy of connecting with Spurs fans across our region, including in Austin, while also allowing us to participate in select NBA international games.’

The Spurs’ Commitment to San Antonio

The Spurs’ request comes as the team is set to receive a new $1.3 billion downtown arena, which will extend their non-relocation agreement until 2062. However, the new arena will not be ready for at least five more years, and the team has expressed dissatisfaction with the current Eastside arena’s fan experience.

Despite these concerns, the Spurs have reassured local leaders of their commitment to San Antonio. The team has already played two games against the Pelicans in France in January 2027, demonstrating their willingness to engage with international fans. The Bexar County Commissioners Court will consider the Spurs’ request in an upcoming meeting, with the final decision expected to be influenced by the team’s ability to address the community’s concerns.

The County’s Financial Stake in the Spurs

The county owns the Frost Bank Center, where the Spurs currently have an agreement to play their home games through 2032. The county has invested significantly in the team’s success, including forgiving a $5 million debt owed by the San Antonio Spurs LLC when it failed to bring a Major League Soccer team to the city. ‘They already got to drive a profit off the rent advantages at the Frost Bank Center,’ said Cindy Munch, a Greater Harmony Hills resident. ‘It’s a very, very good time for the Spurs. They have much wealth here.’

Sakai defended the county’s investment in the Spurs, arguing that it was necessary to prevent the team from relocating to another city. ‘We’ve had comments about, “Why are you giving [money to the] Spurs, or any developer or rich person?”’ Sakai said. ‘It is a partnership, and I have valued the public-private partnership with the Spurs, and I will continue to do so for the last day of this year.’