NBL “Blitz” Heads to Canberra

The National Basketball League (NBL) has officially announced that its pre-season tournament, the Blitz, will be hosted in Canberra in 2025.

The tournament is set to take place at AIS Arena from August 27, offering basketball fans five days filled with intense competition as all ten NBL teams gear up for the Hungry Jack’s season.

Expressing enthusiasm about the event, NBL chief operations officer and head of Basketball Operations, Vince Crivelli, said: “Bringing the Blitz to Canberra is the highlight of our pre-season calendar.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the strong support from the ACT Government, our clubs, and AIS Arena for making this event possible.”

Crivelli highlighted Canberra’s rich basketball history, with the city’s Cannons team winning three championships in 1983, 1984, and 1988, and expressed delight in returning to host elite NBL competition.

Welcoming Blitz, The Chief Minister of the ACT, Andrew Barr, noted: “We look forward to welcoming the NBL Blitz to Canberra in 2025.

“The recently refurbished AIS Arena is set to host five nights of incredible basketball talent with double headers each evening.

“Basketball has a strong and long-standing following in the ACT, and the Blitz gives Canberrans, as well as visitors, the chance to see some of the best talent in the country up close,” Barr expressed.

Expressing enthusiasm of the event, NBL Group CEO, David Stevenson, added: “We are grateful for the strong support from the ACT Government, our NBL Clubs, Basketball ACT, and AIS Arena for making this event possible.”

“This event isn’t just about elite basketball; it also presents a valuable opportunity for community engagement and for nurturing the NBL stars of the future.”

Stevenson encouraged community involvement, highlighting the Blitz as a celebrated pre-season event that energises the league’s passionate fanbase.

Tickets for the event went on sale today via Ticketek, priced at a low $5 for children, $20 for adults, and $40 for families.

The schedule promises to be action-packed, featuring double-headers throughout the tournament:

Wednesday, August 27:
– Perth Wildcats vs Melbourne United
– Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks

Thursday, August 28:
– Brisbane Bullets vs Sydney Kings
– Cairns Taipans vs Tasmania JackJumpers

Friday, August 29:
– South East Melbourne Phoenix vs New Zealand Breakers
– Illawarra Hawks vs Perth Wildcats

Saturday, August 30:
– Melbourne United vs Brisbane Bullets
– Tasmania JackJumpers vs Adelaide 36ers

Sunday, August 31:
– Sydney Kings vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
– New Zealand Breakers vs Cairns Taipans

Organisers encourage fans to gather their friends and family, make plans to visit Canberra, and secure their tickets to experience this exhilarating tournament firsthand.

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