The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Golden State Warriors have continued their amazing start to the season on the court by securing another win off it, receiving approval to build a US$1bn sports and entertainment complex in Mission Bay, San Francisco.

The Warriors have won all of their 23 games this season and yesterday (9 December) were given a further boost by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, which approved the franchise’s arena proposals.

Plans for the site include an 18,000-capacity indoor venue, anchoring an entertainment district with restaurants, cafes, offices, public plazas and a range of public spaces – such as a five-acre park on the Mission Bay waterfront.

Designed by architects Manica with Craig Dykers of Snøhetta acting as senior design advisor, the Warriors’ plan is unique in that it is the only completely privately financed arena or stadium in the US over the past two decades.

The franchise has already acquired a 12-acre plot from technology firm Salesforce and is hoping to have its new home built in time for the 2018-19 season.

San Francisco mayor Ed Lee called the move a "huge win for San Francisco" and welcomed The Warriors back to the city. The team played in the city between 1962 and 1971 – when it was named the San Francisco Warriors – before moving to Oakland.

It is expected that the team will be rebranded and the former name reinstalled once the move to Mission Bay has been completed.