NATIONAL Basketball League (NBL) fans will have the shortest turnaround between seasons in 16 years, with the NBL25 schedule released today. The schedule tips off on September 19, the earliest a season has begun since 2008 and is headlined by a huge opening fortnight and a plethora of blockbuster.
>> Scroll for full NBL schedule
All teams begin in Perth as part of the “HoopsFest” initiative, before a blockbuster Round 2 sees a stack of rivalries ignite back on the respective homecourts.
There is no better opening than a grand final rematch between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers on Thursday, September 19, before the Perth Wildcats lock horns with South East Melbourne Phoenix the day after on their homecourt.
New Zealand Breakers will play a home game as far away from their homecourt as possible when they host Brisbane Breakers on the Saturday, with equally far Cairns Taipans hosting Illawarra Hawks on the same day. Completing the opening round out west is Adelaide 36ers clashing with Sydney Kings.
For the JackJumpers fans disappointed their cannot play United on their homecourt in the first grand final rematch, fear not because just nine days later both sides return to MyState Bank Arena to tip off on Saturday, September 28 from 8pm AEST.
It marks a frantic start to the season for United, who also clash with Victorian rivals the Phoenix on Thursday, September 26 at John Cain Arena, before another two games in Round 3 when United travel to Perth again, this time to face the Wildcats, before hosting the Taipans.
“Excitement is building for next season, and we are thrilled to announce a schedule that’ll see the campaign begin with a bang in Perth,” NBL CEO David Stevenson said.
“There’s real anticipation for us to be back playing, and having the combination of the biggest weekend in Australian basketball history with HoopsFest, alongside a Round 2 schedule that’s jam-packed with great matchups, ensures we will return in the biggest way possible.
“Fans are at the forefront of everything we do, and after welcoming more than a million people through the gates for the first time since 1996, we have developed a schedule that is filled with family friendly timeslots, especially through the summer holidays.
“The NBL’s broadcast product will also be enhanced with the addition of the marquee 2:30pm Sunday timeslot, with those games to be broadcast in HD on Channel 10 – the first time the League will be on a main free-to-air channel in a decade.
“I want to give a big thanks to all of our clubs, broadcasters, and venues in helping us create a schedule that is sure to deliver some memorable moments when the season begins.”
The NBL25 regular season finishes on Saturday, February 8 with a Throwdown between United and the Phoenix to close out the year in style at John Cain Arena.
>> FULL NBL25 SCHEDULE <<
Wildcats and Lynx looking for crucial wins
REIGNING MVP Bryce Cotton is set to return on Friday night as the Perth Wildcats tackle the SEM Phoenix at RAC Arena. Perth’s superstar has missed the last five games after suffering a fractured rib in the Round 5 loss to New Zealand. Cotton said that the injury changed the way he was living day-to-day, […]
Whitcomb continues winning start to WNBL season
THE FIRST two and a half rounds of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season has seen the Bendigo Spirit emerge as the form team of the competition, largely on the back of some MVP-level performances from Sami Whitcomb. Coming into Round 3, the Spirit held an unbeaten record of three wins from three matches, […]
Proctor has promising start to junior season
ONE OF Australia’s brightest prospects in 2024 is Tyrese Proctor, and the young guard has had a solid few games to start his junior season with the Duke Blue Devils. Playing with the most famous college team in the world comes with a lot of pressure, but Proctor has shown the ability to absorb the […]
Smith striving towards new team
YEAR FOUR of Reyne Smith’s college career will see him in a brand-new environment as the Australian senior has opted to move to Louisville to play out his 2024/25 season with the Cardinals. The Tasmanian product played his first three college seasons at the College of Charleston, where he impressed with his ability to shoot […]
NBL25 Next Star Watch – Round 8
ROUND 8 of the 2024/25 National Basketball League (NBL) season saw some Next Stars get some increased responsibility for their respective sides over the course of the weekend. With seven games taking place over the span of Thursday and Sunday, the teams were back in action with some cracking upsets produced over the weekend. The […]
WNBL Wrapped – Round 2
THE WOMEN’S National Basketball League (WNBL) returned for Round 2 of the 2024/25 season over the weekend, with six games taking place from Thursday to Sunday. Just two teams remain unbeaten while a pair of sides are looking for their first win, but all matches were hard fought at times and some of the stars […]
Split results for WA sides on Saturday
WESTERN Australia watched its two basketball sides split results on Saturday night, with the Perth Wildcats falling to Melbourne United and a vintage Chris Goulding performance on Saturday night, while the Perth Lynx took care of business in Adelaide, comfortably handling the Lightning 92-78. The Cats have won five games from 11 appearances this season, […]
A Chris classic as Goulding gears United
ROUND 8 of the National Basketball League (NBL) saw one of the best scoring performances in competition history, with Chris Goulding erupting to help Melbourne United pull off a comeback win over the Perth Wildcats. United hosted the Wildcats at John Cain Arena on Saturday night, fresh off a high-scoring win over the Brisbane Bullets. […]
NBL25 Wrapped – Round 8
IT WAS a great weekend to be a home side in the National Basketball League (NBL), with Round 8 seeing most hosting teams secure a win in front of their adoring fans. There were seven games that took place from Thursday to Sunday, as the action continued to be extremely unpredictable in nature. Whether it […]
