Marquee match-ups, more Sunday games and a summer month of hoops: NBL’s bumper 2025 draw

Marquee match-ups, more Sunday games and a summer month of hoops prove the NBL is back and aiming to be bigger and better than ever before.

Marquee match-ups, more Sunday games and a summer month of hoops are the major highlights of the 2024/2025 NBL draw that looks set to take basketball’s boom to another level.

Following a record-breaking season which culminated in the Tasmania JackJumpers’ historic maiden championship, the NBL is back and aiming to be bigger and better than ever before.

The season starts on Thursday, September 19 with the inaugural HoopsFest in Perth, a celebration of hoops that will see all 10 teams converge on Western Australia for the opening round.

Last season’s championship series combatants – Tasmania and Melbourne United – fittingly tip-off NBL25 with a blockbuster rematch.

The JackJumpers will then host United at MyState Bank Arena just a week later.

The JackJumpers will face Melbourne United in a clash between championship series sides to tip-off NBL25. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The NBL’s most successful coach – six-time championship-winner Brian Goorjian – marks his return to the competition and the Sydney Kings on October 11 when the Kings take on the 36ers in Perth as part of HoopsFest.

The clash will be the first Sunday marquee game of the season, live on Channel 10 from 2:30pm AEST.

"I'm damn emotional. I just want one more man. I want to win this bad. Come on!"

John Casey spoke with Jack McVeigh after hitting the biggest shot of his career. pic.twitter.com/HRfhd8UJKE

— NBL (@NBL) March 24, 2024

Other highlights in the NBL25 draw, include:

• The first Throwdown of the season between the new-look Phoenix and United is on September 26, while hostile rivals the Wildcats and Kings clash on September 27.

• The first meeting of the season between New South Wales foes the Kings and Hawks on September 29. This will also be Xavier Cooks’ first game back in front of his adoring Kings faithful.

• The Bullets return to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on October 5 against the Kings, before Queensland rivals the Taipans and Bullets meet for the first time on November 2.

• Former Kings Angus Glover, Derrick Walton Jr and Jordan Hunter return to Sydney as members of the Phoenix on November 8.

• The Breakers return to Wellington for the first time since 2019 on December 7 against the Kings.

Xavier Cooks and coach Brian Goorjian have returned to the Harbour City to put the Kings among the NBL Championship favourites. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

• Nathan Sobey makes his return to Brisbane after a controversial exit from the Bullets when he leads the Phoenix against his former side on December 12.

• The 36ers host their annual Christmas Eve game against the Bullets.

• Christmas hoops returns with another double-header as the Kings host the Hawks and JackJumpers host the Breakers and the Taipans host a blockbuster Boxing Day fixture against United.

The NBL will bring in 2025 with a bang, with a New Year’s Eve double-header consisting of the Hawks hosting the Phoenix and the Taipans hosting the Breakers.

January set to become the summer month of hoops, with 35 games to be played between January 2-25.

This includes at least one game every day from January 7-20.

A massive final round of the season includes Queensland rivals Taipans and Bullets battling, NSW rivals Hawks and Kings clashing, traditional rivals Wildcats and 36ers resuming hostilities and a Throwdown between United and Phoenix as the last game on February 8.

The Throwdown will double as the last game of the NBL25 season on February 8, with both South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United eyeing a post-season run. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Every game of the season will be broadcast on ESPN, with the Sunday 2:30pm game also broadcast on Channel 10’s main channel in HD.

NBL CEO David Stevenson expects the upcoming season to be one of the best in recent memory, with a combination of blockbuster games and more exposure for the league.

“Excitement is building for next season, and we are thrilled to announce a schedule that’ll see the campaign begin with a bang,” Stevenson said.

“There’s real anticipation for us to be back playing, and having the combination of the biggest weekend in Australian basketball history with HoopsFest, alongside a Round 2 schedule that’s jam-packed with great matchups, ensures we will return in the biggest way possible.

“Fans are at the forefront of everything we do, and after welcoming more than a million people through the gates for the first time since 1996, we have developed a schedule that is filled with family friendly timeslots, especially through the summer holidays.

The 36ers and Perth Wildcats will clash in the final round of the regular season. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“The NBL’s broadcast product will also be enhanced with the addition of the marquee 2:30pm Sunday timeslot, with those games to be broadcast in HD on Channel 10 - the first time the League will be on a main free-to-air channel in a decade.

“I want to give a big thanks to all of our clubs, broadcasters, and venues in helping us create a schedule that is sure to deliver some memorable moments when the season begins.”

Indigenous Round, Champion Pride Round and Heritage Round will also all return, with the NBL to announce more details.

Originally published as Marquee match-ups, more Sunday games and a summer month of hoops: NBL’s bumper 2025 draw