Peking Duk party to follow BBL New Year’s Eve clash at Adelaide Oval
A big-name music act will follow a hot contest between the Strikers and Scorchers at Adelaide Oval’s NYE clash, with fireworks guaranteed on and off the field. Plus, see what other events are happening in the city to kick off 2025.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
What better way to ring in the new year than with the Strikers at Adelaide Oval?
The annual BBL New Year’s Eve match promises to be a fitting end-of-year celebration –starting on the field, with the home team pledging to provide plenty of entertainment as they take on the Perth Scorchers.
Aussie electronic duo Peking Duk will then host a post-match party that will extend to “the V-Energy Post-Match Bash” on the terrace, offering stellar views of Adelaide’s fireworks display.
Strikers leg spinner Cameron Boyce said he and his teammates looked forward to the special fixture each season.
“It is definitely something the boys talk about – it’s not very often you get to play in front of that huge crowd,” he said.
“And playing the Perth Scorchers is going to be huge. No doubt they’ll be hungry to get one over us this year, given we had a couple of wins over them last year (including during the finals).
“Hopefully we can put on a really ripping game for the crowd.”
Boyce said this would be his fourth NYE match at Adelaide Oval – including one outing as an opposition player for the Hurricanes – and it was always exciting to witness the crowd and the hype build throughout the afternoon into the evening.
After the hitout, the Strikers will gather together with friends and family to have “a few quiet drinks” and watch the city light up.
Boyce is playing his third-straight and fourth overall season in blue. The 35-year-old father of two signed a two-year contract extension in February – a fitting reward for being the leading spinner in BBL|13 with 14 wickets and a 6.92 economy rate.
He’s delighted to be locked in to keep playing alongside partner in crime Lloyd Pope, who has signed three-year extension.
The pair caused havoc for opposition sides during the second half of last season, sparking a five-game winning streak that took the club from the bottom of the table into finals.
“I love bowling with Popey,” Boyce said. “I feel like we complement each other well – we’re two very different leg spinners. I’m excited to see what sort of damage we can do this year.
“Over the last couple years, our batters have really led the way in driving standards within the team. It would be really nice for Popey and I, and the rest of the bowlers, to contribute as much as we can and get that all-round team performance going.”
Matt Short, Chris Lynn and Jake Weatherald were standouts with the bat last season, with Short notably named player of the tournament.
England Test star Ollie Pope has joined the Strikers to bolster this line-up. Boyce also tipped English all-rounder Jamie Overton to “impose himself on the competition”.
The club made the second round of finals – the Challenger – last season before falling to eventual champions the Brisbane Heat.
Boyce hopes that, under new head coach Tim Paine, his side can go a couple better this time around and “make Adelaide proud”.
“Tim is super excited about involving our fans and members more and really making the Strikers Adelaide’s team,” he said. “I know we are already are, but we want to make sure that engagement is there because without the fans and members, we’re no one.”
The Adelaide Strikers will take on the Perth Scorchers at Adelaide Oval, 6.45pm on December 31. Tickets available via Ticketek.
WHAT’S ON IN ADELAIDE?
Adelaide International
Sixteen top-20 players – including five top-10 women – have been confirmed for Adelaide International 2025, at the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre from January 6-11. Defending champ Jelena Ostapenko will be up against world No.4 Jasmine Paolini, No.7 Jessica Pegula, No.8 Emma Navarro, No.9 Daria Kasatkina, No.10 Barbora Krejcikova and former No.2 Ons Jabeur in the women’s draw. And two former winners of the men’s trophy – hometown hero Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jiri Lehecka – will count Tommy Paul, Lorenzo Musetti, Sebastian Korda and Felix Auger-Aliassime among their competition. Aussie Olympic gold medallist Matt Ebden will compete in the men’s doubles.
New Year’s Eve
Once the New Year’s Eve Big Bash game is done, the big bangs continue … Locals and visitors alike will be spoiled for choice for fireworks action in and around Adelaide this year. Leading the way will be the City of Adelaide’s celebration in Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama. Featuring fireworks at both 9pm and midnight, the Riverbank fun will also include a mix of roving performers, food and drink. Council has secured a talented line-up of local musicians, with party band The Cast featuring before the midnight countdown. Gates to the event will open at 5.30pm. On the coast, both Brighton and Glenelg beaches will host family-friendly fireworks displays at 9.30pm – and again at midnight at the Bay – with a similar spectacular at Semaphore.
Nothing but net
Crowds have been flocking to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to watch the 36ers this year, and the January 2 NBL grudge clash against top side Melbourne United should be no exception. When the two sides played in Melbourne last month, players became embroiled in a melee that also led to several spectators being ejected from the stadium. With Kendric Davis striking a recent rich run of form under the basket, fans will be hoping Adelaide can upset their rivals on Brett Maher Court and continue a late-season push towards the play-offs. Tip-off is at 5pm, with the AEC box office open at 2.30pm. WNBL side Adelaide United will also host the UC Capitals at Adelaide 36ers Arena from 5pm on January 3.
adelaide36ers.com
Guitar hero
Adelaide guitar-slinger Orianthi is back in home territory for a special performance at Hindmarsh live venue The Gov on January 4. Fresh from major summer performances at Rock in Rio and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the virtuoso guitarist and singer-songwriter has also been touring the US and recording a new album with renowned producer/mixer Kevin Shirley. She is being backed by an all-star band for her hometown gig. Doors at the Port Rd venue open at 7.30pm.
thegov.com.au
Wild snaps
A free exhibition celebrating 20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year is entering its final days at SA Museum, closing on January 5. Don’t miss your chance to check out 20 truly remarkable images – from the eye of a firestorm captured by last year’s winner, Samuel Markham, to 2016 winner Matthew McIntosh’s shot of mosquitoes feasting on the forehead of a tree frog.
samuseum.sa.gov.au/event/20-years-npoty
Paws for thought
Open every day of the school holidays, the Adelaide Zoo is a one-stop paradise for all sorts of up-close animal experiences. Younger zoo-goers might like to embark on a Paws and Claws Jungle Adventure – a treasure hunt which will bring intrepid explorers “close to otters, gigantic giraffe, howling dingoes, tiny tamarins and pounding Sumatran Tigers”. There’s also the free flight bird show, which is held daily at 11.30am on the zoo’s central lawn, while people can also experience some “wild summer nights”, with the Zoo open until 8.30pm (last entry at 8pm) on January 3, 10 and 17.
adelaidezoo.com.au
Moonlight movies
Moana 2 kicks off the New Year offerings at Botanic Park’s Moonlight Cinema, bringing some family film fun on January 1. It’s followed by screenings of new hit movie Wicked (January 2) and more wizardry with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (January 3). Other films in the summer schedule include Paddington in Peru, Shrek, Gladiator II and the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man.
adelaide.moonlight.com.au
Radical Textiles
Peruse the work of more than 100 artists, designers and activists in this exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia, which shines a spotlight on how textiles can be interwoven with social change. Radical Textiles draws on AGSA’s international, Australian and First Nations collection of textiles and fashion, augmented by sculpture, painting, photography and the moving image. See it until March 30.
agsa.sa.gov.au
‘Beyond repair’ heritage home torn down for medical centre in plan
A 100-year-old home that’s “beyond repair” would be torn down for a new medical centre along one of the Adelaide Hills’ busiest roads.
Charities plea as thousands spent carting dumped donations to landfill
Donations dumped outside charity shops have left organisations with hefty clean up bills especially over the Christmas period.