First look: NBL pre-season Blitz opening night to feature Queensland’s own while reigning champions juggle FIBA duties

A first look at the NBL25 preseason Blitz schedule reveals Queensland’s own Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans will feature in an electric opening double-header. Full week-long fixture inside:

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 04: Jack McVeigh of the Jackjumpers looks to shoot during the round six NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Brisbane Bullets at The Silverdome, on November 04, 2023, in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)

The NBL’s pre-season Blitz will be split across two venues on the Gold Coast as the reigning champion Tasmania JackJumpers play two games in the first three days before jetting off for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

Slated for September 7-14, Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium will host the first two days of the Blitz before the tournament shifts to Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre.

The champions face Brisbane in the opening game of the tournament and then clash with Adelaide two days later, before hopping a flight to Singapore to represent Oceania against champions from Asia, Europe, Africa, South America and the NBA G League.

JackJumpers celebrate with the trophy during game five of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series at John Cain Arena on March 31, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Given every NBL club usually plays three games each at the Blitz, Cairns Taipans put their hand up for an extra pre-season game to fill the void left by Tassie, giving the Snakes four hit-outs before HoopsFest.

The second half of the Blitz draw features the most-tantalising match ups, headlined by the September 11 meeting between South East Melbourne — sporting former Sydney champions Derrick Walton Jr, Angus Glover and Jordan Hunter — and the Kings.

The next night, hoops fans will be treated to a rematch of last season’s semi final series when Melbourne United face Illawarra. The Hawks will be hunting revenge after they were beaten by United in three games.

On the penultimate game day, 2023 grand finalists New Zealand face off against their conquerors Sydney, before the tournament closes with a Saturday Sunshine Stoush between state rivals Brisbane and Cairns.

2024 NBL BLITZ FIXTURE

Jack Mcveigh of the JackJumpers handles the ball against Ian Clark of Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on March 31, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Sam Waardenburg of the Taipans in action during the round 20 NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Melbourne United at Cairns Convention Centre on February 16, 2024 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

Saturday, September 7

Tasmania JackJumpers v Brisbane Bullets, 5pm, Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium

Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans, 7.30pm, Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium

Reuben Te Rangi of the Phoenix drives to the basket during the round 20 NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena on February 17, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Sunday, September 8

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Illawarra Hawks, 1pm, Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium

Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers, 3.30pm, Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium

Dejan Vasiljevic of the 36ers during the round 20 NBL match between Adelaide 36ers and New Zealand Breakers at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on February 18, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

Monday, September 9

Adelaide 36ers v Tasmania JackJumpers, 5pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre

Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings, 7.30pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, 7.30pm

Gary Clark of the Hawks during game one of the NBL Semi Final Playoff Series between Melbourne United and Illawarra Hawks at John Cain Arena on March 07, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Tuesday, September 10

Brisbane Bullets v Melbourne United, 5pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre

Illawarra Hawks v Perth Wildcats, 7.30pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre

Jaylen Adams of the Sydney Kings is under pressure from Tom Abercrombie of the New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena on December 22, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Wednesday, September 11

New Zealand Breakers v Adelaide 36ers, 5pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre

Sydney Kings v South East Melbourne Phoenix, 7.30pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre

Tai Webster of the Wildcats in action during game three of the NBL semifinal series between Perth Wildcats and Tasmania Jackjumpers at RAC Arena on March 13, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Thursday, September 12

Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks, 5pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre

Cairns Taipans v Perth Wildcats, Gold Coast Sports aide Leisure Centre, 7.30pm

Finn Delany of the Breakers drives to the basket during the NBL Play-In Qualifier match between Sydney Kings and New Zealand Breakers at Qudos Bank Arena on February 28, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Friday, September 13

Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix, 5pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre

Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers, 7.30pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre

Chris Smith of the Bullets shoots during the round 19 NBL match between Brisbane Bullets and Adelaide 36ers at Nissan Arena on February 09, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Saturday, September 14

Brisbane Bullets v Cairns Taipans, 2.30pm, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre

Originally published as First look: NBL pre-season Blitz opening night to feature Queensland’s own while reigning champions juggle FIBA duties