NBA Melbourne matches ticket guide

The in-demand matches are expected to sell out instantly with more than 51,000 fans already registered to buy tickets. Here is all you need to know.

A historic first NBA match on Australian soil will stretch into a four-day basketball-fest in Melbourne ­like nothing seen before Down Under.

The Herald Sun can reveal tickets to the October series between New Orleans Pelicans and Melbourne’s two NBL teams will range in price from $99 for the cheapest adult pass to $1999 for a VIP courtside ticket with front-row seat.

The landmark sporting events are expected to sell out fast, with more than 51,000 fans registering for a pre-sale window that opens Friday.

The New Orleans Pelicans will play two games in Melbourne. Picture: Getty

In a welcome alley-oop to the economy, 40 per cent of those to register for tickets are from outside Victoria and likely to spend on hotels, shops, pubs and restaurants.

Only 14,254 seats will be sold for each of two games, on October 3 and 5, between the Pelicans and Melbourne United and South East Melbourne.

And a ticket rush is expected from Friday when sales open to those who have pre-registered in hope of scoring a seat to see NBA stars such as Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum.

Bendigo born-and-bred NBA star Dyson Daniels – who played for the Pelicans until last year – told the Herald Sun Aussie fans were in for a treat with the likes of former No.1 NBA draft pick Williamson on show.

“He will put on a show for sure,’’ he said.

“He’s super hard to guard. He’s super talented, an athletic freak.

“Any time that Zion is on the floor, it’s a show, and I am sure that is what people want to see.’’

Zion Williamson is an athletic freak, Dyson Daniels says. Picture: Getty

Fans have until noon Friday to register for the pre-sale window, with a “soft’’ date for public sales on June 13, but that is expected to be brought forward if the pre-sale allocation is exhausted.

In a win for fans and a blow to ticket scalpers the matches will be enshrined in Victoria’s strict “declared event’’ laws, making it illegal for anyone to resell a seat for more than 10 per cent above face value.

To slam dunk the significance of bringing one of the world’s biggest sporting leagues to Australia for the fist time, organisers are also preparing an NBA All Star weekend-styled fan night on the Saturday night wedged before the two Melbourne games.

It will feature slam dunk, skills and three-point contests, player appearances and live band and DJ performances.

Fans can buy tickets to a Pelicans training session on October 2, with an on-court community challenge and Q&A session featuring NBA and NBL players.

The cheapest kids’ tickets to the games will be $79 in Rod Laver Arena’s upper bowl.

The cheapest lower bowl tickets will set adults back $249 and kids $189, while those with deep pockets can pay $1999 for one of 65 courtside row A sideline seats with pre and post-match food and booze.

A batch of 125 courtside row B seats will go on sale for $1599, including pre and post-match food and beverages.

Details about general admission, training and fan night availability will be released after the pre-sale period.

Register at nba.nbl.com.au

Originally published as NBA Melbourne matches ticket guide