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PERTH in September will exclusively host the self-proclaimed "largest basketball festival ever" with the inaugural joint NBL, WNBL, BA "HoopsFest" initiative featuring all 10 men's teams playing the 2024-25 season's opening round, a women's preseason tournament and the under-18 national club championship, featuring 48 junior teams.

HoopsFest will mark the first time all 10 NBL teams have played a season's opening round in a single host city, the league taking a leaf from the AFL's now annual "Gather Round" which has all of its teams competing over one weekend in Adelaide.

The event will also host a Sneakerland expo, and fan zone, featuring live music and events, while the Foot Locker U18 Australia Club Championship, with 24 boys and 24 girls' teams competing, is a historic first for Basketball Australia.

Today's announcement in Perth was hosted by WA Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, Rita Saffioti, with NBL Chief Executive Officer David Stevenson, BA CEO Matt Scriven and Head of WNBL Christy Collier-Hill all in attendance, along with NBL, WNBL and junior basketball players.

"HoopsFest is a powerful moment of unity for the game of basketball in Australia. It's fitting that Perth, one of Australia's strongest basketball cities, will set the foundation for this exciting new tradition,” Scriven said.

“We continue to garner respect for the culture of our game, the players that come from our pathways and the performance of our representative teams across the world. This initiative will bring all of basketball together in September and reflects our commitment in ensuring that the future empowers all levels of our game.”  

More than 150 games will be contested over four days across multiple stadiums.

“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,” Stevenson said.

“HoopsFest will have a significant impact well beyond the court. Attendees will enjoy a variety of entertainment throughout Perth, including an interactive fan zone, community engagements, live music, a new and exciting match-day experience that is different to a regular match, and more. It will be an unforgettable experience and guaranteed to create lifelong memories for all who attend.”

The NBL component will tip off with a rematch of the 2023-24 grand finalists Tasmania JackJumpers and Melbourne United, and from a WNBL perspective, also feature the debut of Geelong United, which has replaced Melbourne Boomers.

“HoopsFest will be a groundbreaking moment for our game and offers an exciting and unique experience for our WNBL athletes and clubs. We look forward to lighting up the courts alongside the NBL and U18 Club Championships this September with all eyes turning to Perth,” Collier-Hill said.

HoopsFest tips off from Tuesday, September 17, with the Australian Under-18 Club Championship tournament at HBF Arena in Joondalup.

The NBL launches on September 19 at RAC Arena, followed by a full round of NBL fixtures.

The WNBL Showcase Tournament will occur concurrently and include all eight clubs, matches at RAC Arena and Bendat Basketball Centre.

Fans also will additionally be able to engage interactive fan zones, the world famous Sneakerland exhibition, and other entertainment unlike the usual night's viewing at NBL or WNBL games.

Pre-registration is now available, pre-sale tickets, at the best rate, to the basketball family on sale from next Friday, and general public tickets on sale from Tuesday, June 4.

“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," Stevenson said.

"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.”

HOOPSFEST LAUNCH: NBL CEO David Stevenson with WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti today.