NBL achieves record-breaking broadcast and crowd numbers in opening round

Basketball enthusiasts got an exciting show as the Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL) kicked off its latest season with a bang. The opening round shattered previous records, both in terms of viewership and attendance, showcasing the escalating popularity of the league among Australian and New Zealand audiences.

From Thursday to Sunday, seven games aired on ESPN, KAYO, and Foxtel, resulting in a remarkable year-on-year increase of over 40% in average audience. NBL CEO David Stevenson expressed his delight at the historic numbers, emphasizing the growing awareness and appetite for elite basketball content in the region.

The growth trajectory of the league has been undeniable, with basketball rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing sports. The NBL has witnessed a surge in competition and the arrival of exceptional talents, exemplified by the record-setting Next Stars program. This season, the program features eight players with genuine NBA draft potential, including Alexandre Sarr, who is considered a top prospect.

In addition to the viewership success, the NBL also broke its attendance record for the first round, attracting nearly 51,000 fans to the games. This remarkable feat surpassed the previous record set in the 2018/19 season, solidifying the NBL as one of the hottest tickets in the Australian and New Zealand summer sporting calendar.

NBL CEO David Stevenson expressed gratitude to the players, clubs, and fans for contributing to the league’s unique and family-friendly experience. He highlighted the incomparable thrill of attending an NBL game, inviting fans to stay up to date with the latest scores, news, and statistics by downloading the NBL App.

The 2023/24 Hungry Jack’s NBL season continues with a double-header on Thursday night. The New Zealand Breakers will host the Brisbane Bullets at Spark Arena at 5:30pm AEDT, followed by the Cairns Taipans battling the South East Melbourne Phoenix at the Cairns Convention Centre at 7:30pm AEDT. Both games will be aired live on ESPN via Kayo Sports in Australia and Sky Sport in New Zealand.