NBL Ignite Cup Final to be Hosted by Gold Coast

The National Basketball League (NBL) has announced that the Final of the inaugural Hungry Jack’s NBL Ignite Cup, presented by Disney+, will be played on the Gold Coast.

The partnership with Experience Gold Coast and the Gold Coast City Council will see the biggest night of the new in-season tournament take place in a city known for hosting world-class sporting events and fostering community passion for basketball.

The Ignite Cup introduces 20 Wednesday night games throughout the NBL season, with all results counting toward the regular season ladder. The top two teams will advance to the Final, where they’ll compete for AUD400,000 in prize money — the largest prize pool in NBL history, distributed 60% to players and 40% to clubs.

Sharing how the Ignite Cup was designed to celebrate basketball innovation and fan engagement, NBL chief operating officer and head of basketball operations, Vince Crivelli, said:  “It’s only fitting that all roads lead to the Gold Coast for the Final.” 

“The city has become synonymous with major events and elite basketball, and we’re thrilled to showcase the culmination of this new in-season tournament here.

“I want to sincerely thank Experience Gold Coast and Mayor Tom Tate for their support and enthusiasm,” Crivelli said.

Welcoming the announcement, and highlighting the tournament’s impact on the city’s sports calendar, Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, added: “Gold Coast basketball is riding high, and the Ignite Cup adds an exciting new layer to the season. I applaud organisers, sponsors, and officials for bringing this exciting format to our courts and look forward to being courtside for the final.”

The announcement strengthens the NBL’s strong ties with the Gold Coast, which has successfully hosted The Blitz, the league’s official pre-season tournament, in 2023 and 2024.

The region also showcases two prominent NBL1 clubs — the Gold Coast Rollers and the North Gold Coast Seahawks.

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