10 Reasons to Come to the Ignite Cup

This Wednesday is your chance to be part of something special, the Ignite Cup, the NBL’s new in-season tournament and the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans are ready to bring the heat. Here are 10 reasons you should be there.

1. A shot at silverware mid-season         

The Ignite Cup gives the Taipans another opportunity to win a trophy — not just regular season points, but real silverware. Every result counts toward both the Ignite Cup standings and the regular season ladder.

2. Revenge time

The Wildcats edged the Taipans in a thriller less than a fortnight ago — it's time to settle the score. 

3. Clutch moments await

The last game had wild swings, lead changes, runs, big buckets and late drama including a missed buzzer beater that was inches away. Expect more edge-of-seat moments Wednesday. 

4. Australian Boomer pedigree in Cairns orange

Reyne Smith comes into the Taipans as a freshly minted Australian Boomers player, bringing national team experience and shooting from serious range. 

5. Watch Admiral Schofield go head-to-head

One of our marquee offseason signings, Schofield brings NBA experience and physicality. See the former Orlando Magic forward match up against Perth’s frontcourt. 

6. MVP threat Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

 Perth’s dominant big man dropped 30 points and 10 boards in Cairns last week. He’s in MVP form and the Taipans will be fired up to make him earn everything this time. Expect a physical contest between Lual-Acuil Jr. and Taipans big man Marcus Lee. 

7. The silent assassin Dylan Windler

The ex-NBA sharpshooter lit up the Snakepit with 26 points in their last fixture. Cairns fans know his name now with the former Los Angeles Laker a dangerous threat once again. 

8. Unique midweek atmosphere

A Wednesday night cup fixture delivers a different vibe from the usual weekend games — perfect for a night out, after work, or doing something extra special in the middle of the week.

9. See the cheerleaders bring it

Expect high-energy dance routines, crowd hype, fan engagement between quarters. The Taipans’ cheer squad adds a distinct entertainment element that amps up the midweek vibe.

10. Team wins $400k WHILE anyone at the game has the chance to win

EVENT Cinemas double-passes to The Running Man.

$350 cash thanks to NQ Fork Lifts.

$50 Zarraffa's Voucher up for grabs.

New NBL26 Taipans Indigenous jersey to be won. 

This isn’t just prestige — there’s big money on the line. The largest prize pool in NBL history is split between players and clubs (60/40).

TAIPANS IGNITE CUP FIXTURES*

·       Wednesday 22 November 2025 vs Perth Wildcats (tip-off 6:30pm AEST)
·       Friday 19 December 2025 vs New Zealand Breakers (tip-off 6:30pm AEST)
 
Both games held at the Cairns Convention Centre.
 
*This year, the Taipans’ Cup fixtures were scheduled for Wednesday 22 October and Wednesday 31 December. As one of the “added” fixtures falls on New Year’s Eve (and automatically included in an Orange Army membership) another regular season game has been allocated for the "Ignite Cup Two-Game Pack" this season. Please note: Friday 19 December is NOT an Ignite Cup game.