NBL Blitz: Basketball pre-season tournament to be held on the Gold Coast

The glamour National Basketball League (NBL) is coming to the Gold Coast. Find out when.

The National Basketball League will bring its pre-season tournament to the Gold Coast in what is seen as a big step to launching a Glitter Strip expansion team.

But the NBL boss says Gold Coasters need to vote with their feet if they want to see the dream become a reality.

The NBL Blitz pre-season tournament will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 16-22.

The 15-game showcase will involve the sport’s stars and young guns who are tipped to be future NBA prospects in America. The games will all be broadcast on Kayo.

NBL CEO David Stevenson confirmed for the first time that the Gold Coast was being seriously considered for new NBL team but it needed locals to show their support.

New NBL chief executive officer David Stevenson.

He said the Blitz “will provide Gold Coast fans with a rare opportunity”.

“The Gold Coast is one of many cities in our expansion considerations,” he said.

“Gold Coast fans now have the chance to vote with their feet and turn up to the games, and show us why they deserve a team.”

It comes just four months after Mayor Tom Tate held a courtside meeting at the NBL finals in Sydney with billionaire NBL boss Larry Kestelman about the prospect of relaunching a basketball franchise on the Gold Coast.

Mr Kestelman also visited the Gold Coast and met at a Broadbeach cafe with a consortium led by entertainment boss Billy Cross about the proposal.

Tom Tate is supportive of a new NBL franchise on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The NBL is currently looking at locations for expansion teams on the back of expressions of interest for new franchise licences.

Canberra, another city to have previously held an NBL licence, and the Gold Coast are leading the field of prospective new teams.

At least two franchises are expected to enter the competition between 2024 and 2025.

The Gold Coast has previously been home to two failed NBL franchises.

The Gold Coast Cougars, later renamed the Gold Coast Rollers, entered the competition in 1990 but financially struggled through its six years and never placed higher than eighth.

Perth Wildcats vs. the Gold Coast Rollers in 1996.

The Rollers, along with the Hobart Devils and Geelong Supercats, had their licences pulled in 1996.

A new team, the Gold Coast Blaze, which was bankrolled by a consortium that included Mr Tate, played in the NBL between 2007 and 2012 with great success, making three finals appearances.

The Blitz’s Gold Coast relocation is the result of a deal struck between Major Events Gold Coast, the NBL and the state government.

Mayor Tom Tate said he was “delighted”.

“Another day and another major sporting announcement for our city. What a coup to have the NBL Blitz here on the coast,” he said.

Among the key players attending are Australian Boomers’ stars Aron Baynes and Nathan Sobey, Rocco Zikarsky, Taran Armstrong and Next Generation Award winner Sam Waardenburg.

Stephen Hoare in action for the Gold Coast Blaze back in 2010.

Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said more than 20,000 people are expected to attend the games, which are being held during the school holidays.

“It’s terrific that the Gold Coast’s basketball loving community will get the opportunity to see the NBL’s best emerging and established stars, light up the courts over an entire week in September,” he said.

“It will also provide a boost for the local economy with more than 20,000 fans expected to visit, with many to stay on and take the opportunity to experience the region and the state’s amazing tourism attractions.”

Queensland Minister Sport & Tourism Stirling Hinchliffe. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tickets for each double-header will start from $10 for children and $15 for adults.

Mr Stevenson said it was critical to show young fans what the sport could deliver.

“The Blitz on the Gold Coast will be the biggest and best event we’ve ever hosted in the lead-up to a season – there’s absolutely no doubt about it,” he said.

“We promise to deliver world-class basketball and family-friendly entertainment, and are delighted to be staging the Blitz on the Gold Coast.

“We want to encourage fans to engage with all the players when they’re out in the community through a range of activations and initiatives that will be announced. With Queensland and Victoria also on school holidays, it presents a fantastic opportunity for families and children to connect with the stars of NBL.”