HoopsFest Returns to Perth in January 2026

Perth is set to host HoopsFest again in January 2026, featuring a round of regular season games for both the Hungry Jack’s NBL and the WNBL.

The initiative underscores a strategic effort by the leagues to create a multi-day basketball event designed to enhance fan engagement and deliver economic benefits to Western Australia, as the festival will run from January 15-18, 2026.

Praising the event, former Boomers champion, Luc Longley, shared: “I loved the energy around the game. It lifted the whole game up.”

He further noted the benefit for Western Australian basketball, particularly during school holidays, in engaging young fans. 

Emphasising the commercial and strategic importance of HoopsFest’s timing, NBL CEO, David Stevenson, noted: “January is always the highest month for us from an attendance point of view, and this will be a great opportunity for the whole sporting world to be focused on Perth and the epicentre of basketball at the moment.”

Stevenson indicated that the event’s affordable ticket pricing, combined with its expanded program, is expected to surpass the 30,000 attendees recorded at the inaugural September 2024 HoopsFest.

“We’ll certainly eclipse last year’s mark both in total attendees, but as well as people coming from interstate too. We know that’s an important part of the economic impact for this state,” Stevenson said.

The inaugural HoopsFest generated over $6.1 million in economic impact for WA, demonstrating the tangible benefits of hosting such events.

HoopsFest 2026 will integrate an array of fan experiences, including the return of Sneakerland, food offerings, live music, entertainment, and community activations across Perth.

A new addition for 2026 is the HoopsFest Cup, an open-age men’s and women’s basketball tournament featuring prize money, inviting amateur players to participate.

The NBL and WNBL games confirmed for HoopsFest Perth include:

• Thursday 15th Jan: Perth Lynx vs Bendigo Spirit (WNBL), Sydney Kings vs Brisbane Bullets (NBL)
• Friday 16th Jan: Geelong United vs Sydney Flames (WNBL), Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks (NBL)
• Saturday 17th Jan: Southside Flyers vs Adelaide Lightning (WNBL), Cairns Taipans vs New Zealand Breakers (NBL), Melbourne United vs Tasmania JackJumpers (NBL)

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