The NBL Registers Significant Increase In Total Attendance For Regular Season

The National Basketball League has become the only major summer sporting league to have increased average attendances over the last 12 months, registering an eight per cent increase and posting its fifth year of consecutive growth.

The NBL’s total attendance for 2019-20 regular season also increased by 21 per cent, attracting a total of 866,082 fans at an average of 6,874 per game – last year’s total attendance was 714,346.

With finals still to be played, the league will attract well in excess of 900,000 fans this season and create a new record average attendance.

Hungry Jack’s NBL Commissioner, Jeremy Loeliger, said: “This has been another record-breaking season for the league which has gone to a new level both on and off the court.

“These numbers are a credit to our clubs and players who put on an incredible show and to our passionate and loyal fans who are clearly enjoying a great entertainment product.

“What’s most pleasing is that every single team has enjoyed an increase in attendance in what is a crowded sports entertainment market across Australia and New Zealand.

“I’m sure we are going to see more big crowds turn out for what is one of the most anticipated finals series in NBL history and enjoy more outstanding basketball and entertainment.”

Highlights of the regular season included:

• The Perth Wildcats drew 181,634 fans to RAC Arena, at a league-high average attendance of 12,974.
• The Sydney Kings attracted 140,168 fans to Qudos Bank Arena, an increase of 17%, including the biggest ever crowd for an NBL game of 17,514.
• Melbourne United drew 117,349 fans to Melbourne Arena, including six sell-out crowds of 10,300.
• The Adelaide 36ers enjoyed a 19% increase in attendances with 104,775 fans flocking to its new home venue the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
• The SKY Sport New Zealand Breakers had a 37% increase in crowds with 81,638 fans attending their games in NZ.
• South East Melbourne Phoenix enjoyed the biggest attendance for a first year team in NBL history attracting 75,179 fans to their home games.
• Cairns Taipans had 61,917 fans attend games at the Cairns Convention Centre, a two per cent increase on last season as they rose from bottom of the ladder to the finals.
• The Brisbane Bullets had a 19% increase in crowds with 55,297 fans attending their home games at their new venue Nissan Arena.
• The Illawarra Hawks enjoyed a 10% increase in crowds with 48,124 fans attending WIN Entertainment Centre and AIS Arena.

The Hungry Jack’s NBL Finals presented by MG will tip-off on February 28 when the Perth Wildcats play the Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena.

All finals will be live on SBS VICELAND and ESPN.