Events 2 min read

Bendigo to Host 2026 CODE Sports NBL Blitz

Written by MOS Editorial Team

Published on 27 May 2026

The National Basketball League (NBL) has officially announced that the 2026 CODE Sports NBL Blitz will be held in Bendigo, Victoria.

The pre-season tournament is scheduled to take place at the Red Energy Arena over five days, running from Wednesday, 2 September to Sunday, 6 September 2026.

The event will bring together all 10 NBL teams from Australia and New Zealand for a series of 10 competitive fixtures, serving as the final preparation period ahead of the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season, which is set to tip off on 19 September 2026.

2026 NBL Blitz Schedule (AEST)

Date	Match	Tip-off
Wednesday, 2 Sept	Cairns Taipans vs. Perth Wildcats	5:30pm
	Sydney Kings vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix	8:00pm
Thursday, 3 Sept	Brisbane Bullets vs. Tasmania JackJumpers	5:30pm
	Illawarra Hawks vs. Adelaide 36ers	8:00pm
Friday, 4 Sept	New Zealand Breakers vs. Sydney Kings	5:30pm
	Perth Wildcats vs. Melbourne United	8:00pm
Saturday, 5 Sept	South East Melbourne Phoenix vs. Brisbane Bullets	5:30pm
	Adelaide 36ers vs. Cairns Taipans	8:00pm
Sunday, 6 Sept	Melbourne United vs. Illawarra Hawks	2:30pm
	Tasmania JackJumpers vs. New Zealand Breakers	5:00pm

Economic and Community Impact

The event is supported by the Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund, aiming to stimulate the local visitor economy by drawing thousands of fans to Bendigo’s hotels, cafes, and restaurants.

Beyond the matches, the tournament will feature grassroots activations, including player-led clinics and school visits to inspire the next generation of regional basketball talent.

The Blitz will be hosted at the recently upgraded Red Energy Arena, which has seen enhancements including two new indoor courts and improved lighting for outdoor facilities. This tournament marks the first time Bendigo has hosted the pre-season Blitz since 2018.

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