All NBL and WNBL teams will descend onto Western Australia as it becomes the Mecca of basketball in the country for the inaugural HoopsFest, a multi-day event that will also feature the under-18 Australian Club Championships, the renowned Sneakerland convention, and a heap of fan activations.
HoopsFest is an initiative supported by the Western Australian Government and Basketball Australia, and is set to take place from September 19 to 22, 2024 across RAC Arena, HBF Stadium, and the Bendat Basketball Centre.
The opening round of the 2024-25 NBL season will take place in Perth, with all teams playing one game over the course of the week. The first NBL game of the season will be a 2024 Championship Series rematch between the Tasmania JackJumpers and Melbourne United, scheduled for Thursday, September 19 at RAC Arena. NBL games will be split between RAC Arena - which is the Perth Wildcats' home floor - and HBF Stadium. Each NBL team will play 29 games over the regular season - up from the usual 28 - allowing them to take part in this event while still being able to host 14 home games.
The Wildcats will play their first game of the regular season at home on Friday, September 20 against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
"HoopsFest is the first of its kind and is set to be the biggest and best weekend in the sport's history, and we are thrilled to bring it to life for the first time in Perth," NBL CEO, David Stevenson, said.
"The power of basketball will be on display at HoopsFest, helping foster an unmatched atmosphere that only our sport can generate when all elements of the game are united. In just one day, fans will be able to cheer on their favourite NBL and WNBL teams, meet their heroes at the fan zone, look at some of the world's rarest and sought after shoes at Sneakerland, and become immersed in the world of basketball."
Over HoopsFest, a WNBL Tournament will take place as a precursor to the league's upcoming season. Eight total games will be played, beginning with a matchup between the hometown Perth Lynx and Sydney Flames, while Geelong United will make their first WNBL appearance.
The under-18 Australian Club Championships will feature 40 men's and women's teams, with some of the country's young talent set to be on display.
"I've always been a believer in the power of unity and collaboration, and it's been a major goal of ours to bring the entire basketball community together," Stevenson said. "I want to thank the Western Australian Government and Tourism WA for their wonderful support in helping us make that dream a reality and we will create basketball history. That gratitude also extends to Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven, who has played a significant role in bringing HoopsFest to life."
Over the course of the four-day schedule, a combined 13 NBL and WNBL games will be played, as well as 140 under-18 Australian Club Championships games.
"Western Australia has a long, proud and successful basketball history, so we're very excited to be hosting this inaugural event," Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA, said.
"We of course know the huge benefits hosting events like this bring to our State, attracting thousands of out of-state visitors, injecting millions of dollars into our local economy and creating a fantastic atmosphere for our local community."
Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Hon. David Templeman MLA, added: "Western Australians love their basketball, so this announcement is a huge win for our community and I have no doubt we'll see plenty of locals turning out to show their support for this fantastic event."
HOOPSFEST SCHEDULE - NBL Round One and WNBL Tournament
Thursday, September 19
- (WNBL) Perth Lynx v Sydney Flames, 4:00pm AWST/6:00pm AEST @ RAC Arena.
- (NBL) Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers, 6:30pm AWST/8:30pm AEST @ RAC Arena.
- (WNBL) Bendigo Spirit v Canberra Capitals, 5:00pm AWST/7:00pm AEST @ Bendat Basketball Stadium.
- (WNBL) Townsville Fire v Geelong United, 7:30pm AWST/9:30pm AEST @ Bendat Basketball Stadium.
Friday, September 20
- (WNBL) Southside Flyers v Perth Lynx, 4:00pm AWST/6:00pm AEST @ RAC Arena.
- (NBL) Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix, 6:30pm AWST/8:30pm AEST @ RAC Arena.
- (WNBL) Sydney Flames v Adelaide Lightning, 5:00pm AWST/7:00pm AEST @ Bendat Basketball Stadium.
- (WNBL) Bendigo Spirit v Townsville Fire, 7:30pm AWST/9:30pm AEST @ Bendat Basketball Stadium.
Saturday, September 21
- (NBL) New Zealand Breakers v Brisbane Bullets, 4:00pm AWST/6:00pm AEST @ HBF Stadium.
- (NBL) Cairns Taipans v Illawarra Hawks, 6:30pm AWST/8:30pm AEST @ HBF Stadium.
- (WNBL) Adelaide Lightning v Southside Flyers, 5:00pm AWST/7:00pm AEST @ Bendat Basketball Stadium.
- (WNBL) Canberra Capitals v Geelong United, 7:30pm AWST/9:30pm AEST @ Bendat Basketball Stadium.
Sunday, September 22
- (NBL) Adelaide 36ers v Sydney Kings, 12:30pm AWST/2:30pm AEST @ RAC Arena.