HoopsFest opens new National Basketball League season LIVE on ESPN – The new National Basketball League season kicks off with the first ever HoopsFest – where every game from the opening round of the season comes from Perth, Western Australia in a feast of hoops action LIVE across ESPN.
From Thursday September 19 to Sunday September 22, the National Basketball League will open the new campaign with five games across the weekend, as part of the inaugural ‘HoopsFest’ – a celebration of basketball and the culture around it, bringing all aspects of local hoops together.
‘HoopsFest’ is the blockbuster launchpad for the 2024/25 National Basketball League season that will see every single game LIVE on ESPN.
The 2024/25 National Basketball League season tips off with a blockbuster rematch of the NBL Championship Series between the champions Tasmania JackJumpers and Melbourne United on Thursday September 19 at 8.30pm AEST.
Tasmania looks to defend their title, fresh from representing the National Basketball League as part of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup tournament in Singapore last week.
Melbourne United and Tasmania played out one of the most thrilling Championship Series in league history and both are set to be amongst the contenders again in 2024/25.
United will be seeking redemption following defeat in the Championship Series, and with a star-studded roster that includes Chris Goulding, Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White, they will look to put the NBL on notice from the opening tip.
Tasmania meanwhile have lost star Jack McVeigh to the NBA but add NBA G-League’s Craig Sword.
On Friday September 20 the Perth Wildcats take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix, LIVE at 8.30pm AEST.
Reigning NBL MVP Bryce Cotton will again lead the charge as they start the new season on home court at RAC Arena.
Saturday September 21 has a HoopsFest double header beginning at 6pm AEST with the New Zealand Breakers battling the Brisbane Bullets.
Following LIVE at 8.30pm AEST, the Cairns Taipans battle the Illawarra Hawks.
The HoopsFest curtain is drawn on Sunday September 22 at 2.30pm AEST when the Adelaide 36ers face off against the new-look Sydney Kings.
Multi-time National Basketball League champion coach Brian Goorjian is back in charge at the Kingdom and the club has recruited heavily, assembling a strong squad containing the likes of Xavier Cooks, Alex Toohey and Jaylen Adams.
Adelaide will start the season with some eye-catching recruits of their own, including former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Montrezl Harrell.
The stars of the basketball world also will be at HoopsFest as NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, Inside the NBA’s Kenny Smith, Luc Longley, Hayden James and Nick Kyrgios all announced as celebrities experiencing the ultimate fusion of basketball, music, culture, entertainment and style.
ESPN will be the destination for every single game of the National Basketball League season with exclusive coverage during the NBL Playoffs and NBL Championship Series matches.
Across New Zealand, every game from the National Basketball League season will be available on ESPN for the first time.
Sky viewers can enjoy all the NBL action through Sky Box, Sky Pod, Sky Go and Sky Sport Now.
ESPN will also keep fans across all the latest NBL news, with Nothing But Net: Aussie Hoops airing throughout the season.
Hosted by Kane Pitman, with Andrew Gaze,Olgun Uluc, Ryan Broekhoff and some of the biggest names in local hoops joining to provide unique access and insight around the basketball world.
HoopsFest on ESPN
Thursday September 19
6.30pm AEST, NBL Slam, ESPN
7.30pm AEST, Nothing But Net: Aussie Hoops, ESPN
8pm AEST, NBL Pre Game, ESPN
8.30pm AEST, Melbourne United vs Tasmania JackJumpers, ESPN
Friday September 20
7.30pm AEST, Nothing But Net: Aussie Hoops, ESPN
8pm AEST, NBL Pre Game, ESPN
8.30pm AEST, Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix, ESPN
Saturday September 21
5.30pm AEST, NBL Pre Game, ESPN
6pm AEST, New Zealand Breakers vs Brisbane Bullets, ESPN
8pm AEST, NBL Switch, ESPN
8.30pm AEST, Cairns Taipans vs Illawarra Hawks, ESPN
10.30pm AEST, Nothing But Net: Weekend Edition, ESPN
Sunday September 22
2pm AEST, NBL Pre Game, ESPN
2.30pm AEST, Adelaide 36ers vs Sydney Kings, ESPN
ESPN and ESPN2 is available on Foxtel, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
Media Release – ESPN
Link to ESPN HERE
TV Central ESPN content HERE
HoopsFest opens new National Basketball League season LIVE on ESPN
