NBL and WNBL HoopsFest returns with a twist
Shayne Hope |
Basketball’s HoopsFest will involve a joint round of NBL and WNBL regular-season games for the first time when it returns to Perth next summer.
After opening the NBL season in September last year, with the WNBL still in its pre-season phase, the basketball showpiece has been shifted to a new January slot for the 2025/26 season.
It will feature all NBL and WNBL teams from January 15-18, coinciding with school holidays.
The schedule will assist the NBL in planning around the unavailability of venues in Melbourne at that time of year because of the Australian Open tennis.
“We are delighted to be heading back to Perth for HoopsFest, after what was an incredible experience last year,” NBL CEO David Stevenson said.
“The shift to the January school holiday period is a great result for basketball fans all around the country, and for those wanting to experience the best of basketball and all it has to offer, then HoopsFest is not to be missed.
“This year, we’re particularly excited to host the first ever joint round of the Hungry Jack’s NBL and WNBL regular season matches, making it an even more historic event for our sport.”
HoopsFest will begin with two games on January 15, when the hometown Perth Lynx host reigning WNBL champions Bendigo Spirit.
The opener will be followed by an NBL clash between the Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets.
Double-headers could be played at Perth Arena. Games were also played at the Perth High Performance Centre and Bendat Basketball Centre last year.
The HoopsFest shift comes after the NBL took over running of the WNBL ahead of the upcoming season.
AAP
