Basketball fans in Australia are in for a treat as the NBA is set to make its long-awaited debut on Australian soil. This October, the New Orleans Pelicans will travel to Melbourne to face off against two of the NBL’s top teams—Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix—at the renowned Rod Laver Arena.
Rod Laver Arena to Host First-Ever NBA Games
The Pelicans, led by former No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson and All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, will take on NBL champions Melbourne United on October 3rd, followed by a matchup against semi-finalists South East Melbourne Phoenix on October 5th. The event marks a significant milestone for Australian basketball, as fans will finally get the opportunity to witness NBA-caliber action up close in their home country.
Alongside the games, the NBA and NBL will collaborate on grassroots basketball initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region. As part of NBA Cares, the leagues will also host community engagement events, including a Fan Night on October 4th.
NBL Executive Director Larry Kestelman emphasized the impact of this announcement, stating, “Bringing an NBA team to Australia has been a dream for the NBL for years. Seeing it become a reality after 15 years of effort shows what can be achieved when you ‘Dream Big.'”
A New Era for Basketball in Australia
The NBA has traditionally avoided scheduling games in Australia, despite the country’s immense enthusiasm for the league. Australia ranks as the second-largest market for NBA League Pass subscriptions outside of the United States, highlighting the deep passion for the sport.
While these games won’t count toward the NBA regular season standings, they signify a major step forward in global basketball relations. This announcement follows a growing trend of major U.S. sports leagues expanding into Australia. The NFL recently confirmed that the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host regular season games starting in 2026, with the Los Angeles Rams set to participate. Meanwhile, Major League Baseball made history in 2014 when the Dodgers and Diamondbacks opened their season in Sydney.
Australia has long been a breeding ground for elite basketball talent, producing multiple No. 1 NBA draft picks, including Ben Simmons and Andrew Bogut. A record 14 Australians are currently playing in the NBA, further strengthening ties between the two leagues.
While an NBA team playing in Australia is new, Australian teams have previously faced NBA competition abroad. In 2022, the NBL’s Adelaide 36ers stunned the Phoenix Suns in a preseason game, winning 134-124. In 2017, Melbourne United nearly pulled off an upset against the Oklahoma City Thunder, narrowly losing 86-85.
With tickets for the NBA vs. NBL series set to go on sale through a registration process, anticipation is building for what promises to be a historic moment for Australian basketball fans.
Your daily dose of sports action starts at DanredSports.com—where passion meets reporting!