HoopsFest returns to Perth for NBL26

After opening the 2024-25 NBL season, HoopsFest once more forms part of the 2025-26 season with the Perth-based round moving to January.

Returning for its second season, the festival will take place between January 15-18, with the four-day basketball bonanza consisting of both NBL and WNBL regular season games, the HoopsFest Cup, Fan Zone, Sneakerland and much more.

With fan activities such as Sneakerland returning for 2026, the HoopsFest Cup will join the festivities with a four-day basketball tournament seeing open-age men's and women's players competing for $25,000, with entry to the tournament open to all.

After facing the Illawarra Hawks at Perth High Performance Centre last season, the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans will face the New Zealand Breakers at RAC Arena on January 17 – forming part of a double header with Melbourne United facing the Tasmania JackJumpers shortly after.

NBL CEO David Stevenson:

“The shift to the January school holiday period is a great result for basketball fans all around the country, and for those wanting to experience the best of basketball and all it has to offer, then HoopsFest is not to be missed.
"This year, we're particularly excited to host the first-ever joint round of NBL and WNBL regular season matches, making it an even more historic event for our sport."

HOOPSFEST SCHEDULE:

Thursday 15 January

(WNBL) Perth Lynx v Bendigo Spirit, 6:00pm AEST, RAC Arena

(NBL) Sydney Kings v Brisbane Bullets, 8:30pm AEST, RAC Arena

Friday 16 January

(WNBL) Geelong United v Sydney Flames, 6:00pm AEST, RAC Arena

(NBL) Perth Wildcats v Illawarra Hawks, 8:30pm AEST, RAC Arena

Saturday 17 January

(WNBL) Southside Flyers v Adelaide Lightning, 3:30pm AEST, RAC Arena

(NBL) Cairns Taipans v New Zealand Breakers, 6:00pm AEST, RAC Arena

(NBL) Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers, 8:30pm AEST, RAC Arena

Sunday 18 January

(NBL) Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix, 1:30pm, RAC Arena

(WNBL) Townsville Fire v Canberra Capitals, 4:00pm AEST, RAC Arena

Register your interest at hoopsfest.com.au to be the first to know all the details and reserve tickets for the ultimate celebration of basketball.