HoopsFest Returns to Perth

HoopsFest is set to return to Western Australia in January 2026, promising an exciting celebration of basketball for the second consecutive year.

Scheduled to take place from the 15th to the 18th of January, this year’s festival coincides with the regular season for both the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), assuring fans a dynamic lineup of matches over four thrilling days.

Expressing enthusiasm about the event’s return, NBL CEO, David Stevenson, said: “The shift to the January school holiday period is a great result for basketball fans all around the country.”

“For those wanting to experience the best of basketball, HoopsFest is not to be missed.

“Notably, we are excited to host the first-ever joint round of NBL and WNBL regular season matches, marking a historic moment for the sport,” he said.

Stevenson also acknowledged the crucial support from the Western Australian Government, Tourism WA, and VenuesWest, which has made this celebration possible.

Highlighting the importance of the event for women’s basketball, WNBL CEO Jennie Sager, added: “HoopsFest is a vibrant celebration of everything we love about basketball.”

“Women’s basketball is thriving like never before, both in Australia and globally, offering an opportunity to see Olympians, WNBA champions, and Australia’s top talent all on one court,” Sager said.

Following a successful debut, HoopsFest Perth will once again feature popular fan activities such as Sneakerland, alongside a diverse lineup of food, entertainment, and community engagement initiatives.

This year, a new addition is the HoopsFest Cup—a four-day tournament for open-age men’s and women’s players from across Australia, providing an exciting chance to compete for prize money while being part of the HoopsFest experience.

Western Australia’s Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, expressed pride in hosting the event once more, reinforcing the state’s strong basketball heritage with iconic teams like the Perth Wildcats and Perth Lynx. “It’s yet another opportunity to showcase our world-class sporting facilities and spotlight Western Australia as an incredible tourism destination,” Whitby noted.

Fans can look forward to an impressive schedule of NBL and WNBL games integrated into HoopsFest Perth:

– Saturday, January 17:
– Southside Flyers vs Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)
– Cairns Taipans vs New Zealand Breakers (NBL)
– Melbourne United vs Tasmania JackJumpers (NBL)

– Sunday, January 18:
– Adelaide 36ers vs South East Melbourne Phoenix (NBL)
– Townsville Fire vs Canberra Capitals (WNBL)

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