Victoria will be the home of the National Basketball League next year, hosting an exclusive four-week NBL Melbourne Hub featuring all nine NBL teams from 20 February.
Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Jaclyn Symes today confirmed that Victoria has secured the basketball bonanza which will see 39 games of the NBL regular season played in Victoria in early 2021, including three in regional areas.
The season-opening "Melbourne Throwdown" between hometown teams United and Phoenix on 10 January will be quickly followed by South East Melbourne Phoenix hosting the Hawks on 14 January and Melbourne United battling it out against the New Zealand Breakers on the following day.
The nation's best basketball then goes into overdrive in Australia's sporting capital on 20 February, with 36 games to be played across John Cain Arena and the State Basketball Centre. Teams will play for the inaugural NBL Cup during the Melbourne Hub, with the top three teams sharing in $300,000 prize money funded by the NBL.
After the 36 Melbourne Hub games have been played, teams will return to their respective home cities and complete the remainder of the NBL home-and-away season.
Victoria is the undisputed home of basketball in Australia backed by the Andrews Labor Government's commitment to growing basketball across the state through investments in world-class infrastructure, community programs and high-performance development.
This includes a further $22 million in the Victorian Budget 2020/21 for the redevelopment of the State Basketball Centre at Wantirna South, and the $101 million basketball package in the Victorian Budget 2019/20.
As stated by Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Jaclyn Symes
"Victorians love their basketball and there couldn't be a better place than Victoria for the tip-off and NBL Cup to be held."
"This will give fans the chance to see more top-level games and world-class players than ever, and we'll ensure it's done safely in accordance with the latest public health advice."
As stated by NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger
"We are proud to partner with the Victorian Government to bring the NBL to Victoria and we can't wait to play in front of fans once again."
"The NBL Cup will be the biggest event the NBL has staged in one city and a chance to see the best players from around Australia and New Zealand in what will be a showcase of world-class basketball featuring all nine NBL teams."
