Despite the season still being a few months away, excitement is already at a fever pitch for the 2024/25 NBL season, after today’s release of the schedule. 

With blockbusters everywhere you look, rivalries set to be renewed, and familiar faces in new places, there is so much for fans of all 10 teams to look forward to once the season begins in September. 

Here are the 10 games every NBL fan should block out their calendar for and ensure they don’t miss. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL 2024/25 SCHEDULE

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SCHEDULE IN PRINTABLE PDF FORMAT

CLICK HERE TO SYNC SCHEDULE TO CALENDAR

Season-opener: Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers – Thursday September 19, 8:30pm AEST, RAC Arena

The NBL picks up right where it left off, with Championship Series combatants Tasmania and Melbourne meeting in a massive start to the season and also HoopsFest, which promises to be the biggest weekend in Australian basketball history. 

There will be plenty of bad blood left over from the title decider last season, which makes this contest a can’t miss event…

Run it back: Tasmania JackJumpers v Melbourne United – Saturday September 28, 8:00pm AEST, MyState Bank Arena

… BUT if you do happen to miss the opener, never fear, with these same two sides set to meet the very next week, but this time in Tasmania. The MyState Bank Arena crowd is one of the most hostile in the league and there is no doubt they will be sure to remind United about how last season ended several times. 

High expectations, high stakes: Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix – Friday September 20, 8:30pm AEST, RAC Arena 

There are always high hopes for the Bryce Cotton led Wildcats and that won’t change this season. However, the Phoenix will also enter the campaign as one of the most hyped squads thanks to their stacked lineup consisting of stars Mitch Creek, Nathan Sobey and Derrick Walton Jr. A first up win would be a massive tone setter for both these sides. 

Return to the Kingdom: Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks, Sunday September 29 – 2:30pm AEST, Qudos Bank Arena 

After a somewhat disappointing, by their high standards, season, the Kings are poised to bounce back in a big way, with legendary coach Brian Goorjian and NBL23 MVP Xavier Cooks returning. In their home opener, they welcome their NSW rivals the Hawks, who will be hoping the Justin Tatum led charge at the backend of last season becomes the standard and not the outlier. 

Back to their roots: Brisbane Bullets v Sydney Kings, Saturday October 5 – 8:00pm AEST, Brisbane Entertainment Centre 

The Bullets will return to their spiritual home this season, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Some of the club’s most historic moments have happened in that building, and they’ll be hoping the move back there will spark a new period of sustained success. 

QLD foes: Cairns Taipans v Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Convention Centre – Saturday November 2, 8:00pm AEDT

There is absolutely no love lost between the Taipans and Bullets, as we saw several physical moments and confrontations between the Queensland foes last season. When they meet again for the first time in November, there is no doubt emotions will be high. 

Back in the capital: New Zealand Breakers v Sydney Kings – Saturday December 7, 5:30pm AEDT, TSB Arena 

For the first time since 2019, the Breakers will return to the capital of New Zealand when they host the Kings in Wellington. With MVP contender Parker Jackson-Cartwright back with the team, a big reception is expected from the Wellington faithful. 

Sobey’s return: Brisbane Bullets v South East Melbourne Phoenix – Thursday December 12, 7:30pm AEDT, Brisbane Entertainment Centre 

Nathan Sobey’s move from Brisbane to South East Melbourne sparked a heap of controversy, after interesting comments from Bullets coach Justin Schueller around the exit, and subsequent commentary from Andrew Bogut. All of those headlines are sure to resurface when Sobey makes his return to the city he called home for five years, and he will want to make a statement. 

Christmas joy: Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks and Tasmania JackJumpers v New Zealand Breakers – Wednesday December 25

Christmas has become one of the highlights of the NBL season and that will be the case once again when NSW rivals the Kings and Hawks go toe-to-toe, and the champion JackJumpers face the Breakers. Presents, Christmas food, family, and NBL basketball … it doesn’t get much better than that. 

Ending with a bang: Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix – Saturday February 8, 8:00pm AEDT, John Cain Arena  

There will be fireworks to end the season when United and the Phoenix clash in the Throwdown. And if previous seasons are anything to go by, there will be more than just bragging rights on the line, with finals spots and positions potentially at stake. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL 2024/25 SCHEDULE

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SCHEDULE IN PRINTABLE PDF FORMAT

CLICK HERE TO SYNC SCHEDULE TO CALENDAR