36ers lock in home court advantage

The Adelaide 36ers released the following statement on Friday, after the announcement they'd extended their stay at Adelaide Entertainment Centre until 2029: 

Adelaide 36ers are excited to announce in conjunction with the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to call Brett Maher Court the club’s home venue for the next six seasons.

The club sold out six home games of the NBL23 season, including the final five matches, as the 36ers became the hottest tickets in town.

Owner and chairman Grant Kelley said the five-year extension with the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, which starts at July 1, 2024, is a great result for the club and gives stability moving forward.

“We are delighted to be able to call the Adelaide Entertainment Centre home for the next five years,” Kelley said.

“Brett Maher Court has become a must-attend for Adelaide 36ers fans, highlighted by our multiple sold-out games during NBL23.

"We look forward to seeing our 6,000 members, our 100+ sponsors, and our many thousands of loyal fans, for many years to come at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.”

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the five-year extension will support the ongoing growth of the club, as well as home game attendances, as basketball continues to lead the way in sports entertainment.

“We are delighted with the Adelaide 36ers signing a five-year extension to play at Adelaide Entertainment Centre through until 2029; another way to celebrate the exciting future of basketball here in South Australia,” Bettison said.

“Six home games of the 36ers’ 2022/2023 season were ‘sellouts’, including the final five games of the season, each drawing more than 9,000 fans and membership comprises a mix of passionate city and regional basketball fans.”

Kelley made the decision in 2019 to make the move from the 36ers’ Findon home venue to be closer to the CBD, with the club now approaching a 50 per cent increase in membership since the NBL19 season.

Membership requests began as soon as the NBL23 season came to an end, with 97 per cent of last season’s reserve seat-holders already paid up for the NBL24 season.

Adelaide Entertainment Centre general manager Kate Russo said her team were naturally delighted by the extension.

“It’s been a thrill to host the 36ers here at Adelaide Entertainment Centre over the past four seasons, and we’re excited to extend the relationship,” Russo said.

"The 36ers have done a brilliant job in creating an unmatched family friendly gameday experience, and record crowds have followed.

“We can't wait to do it all again when NBL24 kicks off later this year.”

The club is expecting to break the 6,000-membership barrier for the NBL24 season and are currently among several NBL teams working with Ticketek on a resell option to add value to memberships and to fill empty seats when members can't attend games.

Tickets went on sale today for all of our 14 home games, with the opening match on Brett Maher Court against Melbourne United on Sunday, October 1.