NBL27 Schedule Release: Season Start Date, HoopsFest and Opening Round Details Revealed
- NBL27 starts Sept 19 with a 9-day opening streak.
- HoopsFest Perth returns Jan 13-17 at RAC Arena.
- Full season fixture releases May 29, signaling NBL's aggressive growth.
NBL27 Schedule Release
NBL27 Schedule Release: Season Start Date, HoopsFest and Opening Round Details Revealed
The NBL27 season is officially locked in to begin on Saturday September 19, with the league planning an aggressive opening to build on the momentum of its record-breaking NBL26 campaign.
The full NBL27 fixture is expected to be released on Friday May 29, but several key details have already been revealed, including the season start date, a nine-day opening stretch across Rounds 1 and 2, and the full HoopsFest Perth schedule.
The early release of the fixture is a noticeable shift from previous years and gives clubs, broadcasters and fans far more certainty heading into the new season.
NBL27 Season Start Date Confirmed
The first game of the NBL27 season will tip off on Saturday September 19, beginning what the league is describing as a nine-day basketball blitz.
That opening stretch will span the first two rounds of the season and is designed to capitalise on the growing momentum around the competition following the success of NBL26.
Importantly, the league is once again expected to schedule games during AFL Grand Final week, including a likely fixture on Saturday September 26, directly competing for attention during one of the biggest weekends on the Australian sporting calendar.
It is a bold move, but one the NBL increasingly feels comfortable making as crowds, broadcast numbers and fan engagement continue to rise.
HoopsFest Perth Returns Bigger Than Ever
Part of the NBL27 schedule has already been confirmed through the announcement of the 2027 HoopsFest Perth fixture.
The event returns to RAC Arena from January 13-17 and will feature 10 games across five days involving both the NBL and WNBL.
After record crowds during NBL26, the league is leaning even harder into HoopsFest as one of its marquee in-season events.
NBL27 HoopsFest Schedule
All games to be played at RAC Arena
| Date | Matchup | Time (AEDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Jan 13 | Perth Lynx vs Townsville Fire | 7:00pm |
| Wednesday Jan 13 | Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans | 9:30pm |
| Thursday Jan 14 | Sydney Flames vs Southside Melbourne | 7:00pm |
| Thursday Jan 14 | Sydney Kings vs South East Melbourne Phoenix | 9:30pm |
| Friday Jan 15 | Adelaide Lightning vs UC Capitals | 7:00pm |
| Friday Jan 15 | Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers | 9:30pm |
| Saturday Jan 16 | Tasmania Jewels vs Geelong Venom | 7:00pm |
| Saturday Jan 16 | Tasmania JackJumpers vs Adelaide 36ers | 9:30pm |
| Sunday Jan 17 | Bendigo Spirit vs Perth Lynx | 2:30pm |
| Sunday Jan 17 | Brisbane Bullets vs Illawarra Hawks | 5:00pm |
Why the NBL Is Pushing Aggressively Into September
The NBL clearly sees an opportunity to keep growing its audience by owning more of the Australian sporting calendar.
Launching during AFL finals and potentially playing on Grand Final day would have once seemed risky. Now it feels deliberate.
Basketball’s younger audience, stronger digital engagement and growing relevance in Australia have shifted the equation. The league is no longer trying to avoid competing with bigger codes. It is actively trying to insert itself into those conversations.
That approach worked during NBL26, and the league now appears ready to push even harder in NBL27.
What Comes Next
The full NBL27 fixture is expected to be released on Friday May 29.
Once confirmed, this page will be updated with:
- Opening Round fixtures
- Christmas and marquee games
- Rivalry matchups
- Broadcast schedule
- Finals dates
- Travel stretches and schedule quirks
NBL27 Frequently Asked Questions
When does the NBL27 season start?
The NBL27 season officially begins on Saturday September 19, 2026, with the league planning a nine-day opening stretch across the first two rounds.
When will the full NBL27 schedule be released?
The full NBL27 fixture is expected to be released on Friday May 29, with clubs and broadcasters receiving the schedule earlier than last season.
What is HoopsFest Perth?
HoopsFest Perth is a multi-day basketball event featuring both NBL and WNBL games at RAC Arena. The 2027 edition runs from January 13 to January 17.
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