Bullets back growth at bigger venue

The Brisbane Bullets will look to continue a "significant growth period for the Club", making the Brisbane Entertainment Centre their home venue for NBL25.

It will be the first time since 2019 the Bullets have played at the 10,500+ seat stadium, after regular sell-outs at Nissan Arena across the past season.

The club sold 94 per cent of its stadium capacity across NBL24 and says the "exponential growth of the sport at the grassroots level" allows it to dramatically increase its fan and member base with the move.

“Taking our home games to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre is an important next step in what is projected to be a significant growth period for the Club,” Brisbane Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts said.

“Basketball is booming in South East Queensland and this move is a key factor in ensuring we can continue to make our game day experience bigger and better for our members, fans and corporate partners. It enables us to elevate all aspects of the game presentation and provide an increase in seating, premium hospitality, parking and improved accessibility via public transport option.”

“The NBL has never been in a stronger position as one of the fastest growing leagues in the Australian sporting market,” NBL CEO David Stevenson said.

“Brisbane has such a passionate fan base and a long and proud history in the NBL.

“The Bullets' move to a larger capacity venue, provides a great opportunity for continued fan growth not only for the Club, but also the League as a whole.”

Bullets Return to Brisbane Entertainment Centre in NBL25!

“Taking our home games to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre is an important next step in what is projected to be a significant growth period for the Club,” Brisbane Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts said.#RIVERCITYSTRONG pic.twitter.com/PQG6jYeP4l

— Brisbane Bullets (@BrisbaneBullets) June 19, 2024

Coach Justin Schueller said it would be an incredible experience for the Brisbane players to return to a venue with so much strong history.

The Bullets most recently played at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in 2019, with three marquee games, but previous to that won its most recent championship in 2007 against the Melbourne Tigers at the venue, as well as its 1987 trophy.

“As a team we are thrilled to get the opportunity to play at BEC once again, an arena that we know can rival other teams in the league,” Schueller added.

“The Bullets have a proud history of winning in this building. We ask all our fans to turn this venue into a fortress and to help us continue to take steps forward to hanging a banner in the rafters again.”

The announcement comes just a week after Brisbane announced its purpose-built high performance facility in South Brisbane was soon to be completed.