Like Gather Round for the NBL: HoopsFest to bring every NBL, WNBL team to Perth this September
While the AFL world has looked on Adelaide’s Gather Round with envious eyes for the past two seasons, it appears Perth has been doing some scheming of its own to bring something similar here for the first time ever.
HoopsFest is the first of its kind – a multi-day extravaganza that will bring all NBL and WNBL teams together for Round One of the Hungry Jack’s NBL Season; a Cygnett WNBL Tournament; the Foot Locker U18 Australian Club Championships; an interactive fan zone; Sneakerland exhibition; and loads more from September 19-24.
“HoopsFest is the first of its kind and is set to be the biggest and best weekend in the sport’s history, and we are thrilled to bring it to life for the first time in Perth,” said NBL CEO David Stevenson.
“HoopsFest will have a significant impact well beyond the court. Attendees will enjoy a variety of entertainment throughout Perth, including an interactive fan zone, community engagements, live music, a new and exciting match-day experience that is different to a regular match, and more.”
Tickets go on sale Tuesday 4 June, with prices starting at $25 (adults), $9 (kids) and $60 (family), providing epic value entertainment during the September school holidays.
“The power of basketball will be on display at HoopsFest, helping foster an unmatched atmosphere that only our sport can generate when all elements of the game are united,” continued Sevenson.
“In just one day, fans will be able to cheer on their favourite NBL and WNBL teams, meet their heroes at the fan zone, look at some of the world’s rarest and sought after shoes at Sneakerland, and become immersed in the world of basketball.”
Across a jam-packed scheduled there will be 13 NBL and WNBL games along with 140 U18 Australian Club Championship games, with games played at RAC Arena, HBF Stadium, Bendat Basketball Centre and HBF Arena.
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“I’ve always been a believer in the power of unity and collaboration, and it’s been a major goal of ours to bring the entire basketball community together,” Stevenson added.
With the full schedule to be announced, on the NBL front the Tasmania JackJumpers take on Melbourne United on Thursday 19 September, followed by the Wildcats taking on South East Melbourne on the Friday night.
“HoopsFest is a powerful moment of unity for the game of basketball in Australia. It’s fitting that Perth, one of Australia’s strongest basketball cities, will set the foundation for this exciting new tradition,” said Basketball Australia CEO, Matt Scriven.
Fans can pre-register their interest for tickets now at Hoopsfest.com.au.
Image Credit: Perth Wildcats