‘We had to try this’: Sydney Kings to host Melbourne United on Christmas Day

It will come at double the cost of a normal home game, but Sydney Kings co-owner Paul Smith still believes the NBL’s first Christmas Day game will be a winner.

The NBL announced on Wednesday it would be the first Australian league to host a game on December 25 with the reigning champions Kings to host rivals Melbourne United at Qudos Bank Arena at 7.30pm AEDT on Christmas night.

Xavier Cooks and the Sydney Kings will be playing on Christmas Day.Credit: Getty

That game will pair with a Christmas Eve clash between the Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 24 at 5.30pm AEDT.

The Age and Sydney Morning Herald understands the Kings project it will cost them double what a normal Sunday home game costs, with staff pay a major factor.

“I think it is going to be one of those events where people who have never been to a game, and wouldn’t normally go, will try their first game - that is what we hope,” Smith said.

While drawing a national television audience is seen as a major driver behind the game, Smith said he hoped it could draw 10,000 fans, based on his team’s Easter Sunday crowd of 10,260 this year.

“I like to think we have ambitions of 10,000 people or higher, but that is a big number,” Smith said.

“We had a really interesting experience at Easter. We are usually finished by then, but we were playing on due to COVID-19 delaying the start of the season.

“We were dealt the stinkiest card by the league in having an Easter Sunday game, and I blew up about it telling the league it would never work.

“The biggest issue for me what the proximity of the Royal Easter Show, which is happening next door and parking was impossible.

“I thought we would get three men and a dog [at the game] so I was very surprised by the attendance, and that galvanised my opinion that we had to try this.

“Normally people leave Sydney, the NRL was already playing - there were so many reasons why that game shouldn’t have worked. Part of it was the team success we were having last season, but I think we are on to something.

“It’s a very costly exercise and it will take a lot of people making sacrifices to be there, not just our players and staff, but arena staff, TV production staff, journalists - a lot of people are digging in, but there is no place I would rather be.”

Melbourne United chief executive Nick Truelson said his team was proud to face the Kings in the blockbuster match-up.

“Any opportunity you get to be in a marquee slot, especially a new one, you want to embrace that,” Truelson said.

“We wanted to be front and centre, and we think it will be a great part of the schedule moving forward.”

Who will be on Melbourne’s roster at Christmas remains uncertain after Jack White signed a two-way NBA contract with the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, while the team is in a holding pattern while it waits to see if the Sacramento Kings sign point guard Matthew Dellavedova.

“There is a lot of talent out there, and while we hope Delly is with us, if he is not, we are still excited about NBL23,” Truelson said.

Sporting leagues have kept Christmas Day free in the past because of difficulties in finding venue staff, and the concern people will be on holidays and not interested in attending events.

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the league considered the game a test case for making it a permanent fixture.

“There are a lot of people out there who have a full calendar on Christmas Day, but there are also a lot of people who do not,” Loeliger told SEN Sydney.

“We are trying to fill a gap for people who want something to do on the evening of Christmas. Our polling and research shows there is a really healthy number of people who want something to go to, in person, on Christmas Day.

“It is very much a test, but I don’t think this will fail. The Kings were the first mover but after this year, many others will be vying for the same space.”

Loeliger added it would not be a new experience for players and team staff who are used to working, training or even travelling on Christmas Day to play in Boxing Day games.

“Working on Christmas Day is not a new concept to our players and this year we will have games on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day so that is six teams who will be working over Christmas,” Loeliger said.

The NBL will release its full 2022-2023 schedule on Monday.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.