NBL26 Schedule: Frequently Asked Questions

The Hungry Jack's NBL26 Schedule has just dropped, so here's all your key questions answered.

COMPETITION: Head to the NBL App for your chance to win an NBL26 team jersey and tickets to the game of your choice.

How do I view the full Hungry Jack’s NBL schedule?
You can check out the full schedule for every team via the ‘Games’ section on the free NBL App.

>> View the full schedule | Sync your calendar

When is the Blitz?
Information on the NBL Blitz games and location will be announced in the coming weeks.

When does the season start?
NBL24 Champions the Tasmania JackJumpers tip off their season against Melbourne United on Thursday, September 18 at MyState Bank Arena.

When are the Finals?
The Finals will commence after the regular season ends and following the second FIBA break.

When is the FIBA Break?
- First FIBA Window: Monday, November 24, 2025 to Tuesday, December 2, 2025
- Second FIBA Window: Monday, February 23, 2026 to Tuesday, March 3, 2026

How do I find the WNBL schedule?
Basketball fans will have the opportunity to watch up to six days of elite men’s and women’s games across summer, with the Hungry Jack’s NBL and WNBL uniting as one.

The WNBL schedule will be released in full this Saturday, June 21 at 9am AEST via the WNBL website.

When do the big stars play their former teams?
- Milton Doyle returns to Tasmania for opening night, when the JackJumpers host Melbourne United in Hungry Jack’s Rookie Round.
Tasmania v Melbourne – Thursday, September 18, 2025 – 7.30pm AEST at MyState Bank Arena‍

- Bryce Cotton comes up against his old team Perth in Adelaide in Round 8, before a homecoming in Round 11 in front of the Red Army.
Adelaide v Perth – Sunday, November 9, 2025 – 2.30pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Perth v Adelaide – Sunday, December 7, 2025 – 4.30pm AEDT – RAC Arena‍

- Kendric Davis return to Adelaide is slated for Round 4 in a Saturday night blockbuster against Sydney.
Adelaide v Sydney – Saturday, October 11, 2025 – 8pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre‍

- Matthew Dellavedova and the Sydney Kings host Melbourne United in Round 4 during the first night of the Ignite Cup, before he makes his return to John Cain Arena three weeks later in Round 7.
Sydney v Melbourne – Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – 7.30pm AEDT – Venue TBC
Melbourne v Sydney – Monday, November 3, 2025 – 7.30pm AEDT – John Cain Arena

When do we get our first look at the projected 2026 NBA lottery picks facing off?
Exciting Next Stars Karim Lopez and Dash Daniels will face off in Melbourne during Round 1.

The pair are currently projected as the sixth and ninth overall picks at the 2026 NBA Draft, according to ESPN, making this a must-watch clash.

Melbourne v New Zealand – Sunday, September 21 – 2.30pm AEST – John Cain Arena

Is it true that we have Wednesday night hoops in NBL26?
Midweek hoops are set to light up NBL26, with the introduction of the Ignite Cup. It all starts in Round 4 on Wednesday, October 8 with a New Zealand/Illawarra, Sydney/Melbourne double-header.

What is the Ignite Cup?
The Ignite Cup is a new in-season tournament set to reshape Wednesday nights and add 20 extra games to the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season, plus a Final.
Games will be played every Wednesday night with results counting towards regular season standings.

A new quarter-by-quarter scoring system will contribute to a separate Ignite Cup ladder, culminating in a standalone Ignite Cup Final, played outside the traditional schedule, with a prize pool of $400,000.

>> More on the Ignite Cup

How many games does each team play?
Including HoopsFest, the extra games as part of the new Ignite Cup will mean each team plays 33 regular season games before the Finals begin.

When are the themed rounds?
- Indigenous Round – Begins Round 7 – commencing October 22, 2025
- Space Jam Round – Begins Round 11 – commencing December 3, 2025
- 12 Days of Christmas – Begins Round 13 – commencing December 14, 2025
- Champion Pride Round – Begins Round 18 – commencing January 21, 2026

Will HoopsFest be back for NBL26?
Absolutely. HoopsFest is Australasia’s biggest basketball, culture and lifestyle festival in Western Australia. It begins on January 15, 2026 and will encompass everything below and more:
- Hungry Jack’s NBL Round 17, including five games across four days at RAC Arena
- Full round of WNBL action
- HoopsFest Cup (open age tournament, with prize money)
- Fan festival
- Sneakerland

>> More on HoopsFest‍

Are there games in Melbourne during the Australian Open?
Melbourne and South East Melbourne will play any home games during the Australian Open at venues other than John Cain Arena. This includes the State Basketball Centre for the Phoenix.‍

Will there be open-air games?
Open-air games traditionally held in Melbourne and Perth are still to be confirmed.

Is there a Christmas Day game again?
Yes. Sydney will host Illawarra in a Freeway Series game on Christmas Day, as part of the NBL’s 12 Days of Christmas campaign.
Sydney v Illawarra – Thursday, December 25, 2025 – time TBC – Qudos Bank Arena

When do the Hawks raise their Championship banner?
The Illawarra Hawks will celebrate their history-making second Championship in front of their home fans in Round 2.
Illawarra v Tasmania – Saturday, September 27, 2025– 8pm AEST – WIN Entertainment Centre

When do the NBL25 Championship Series teams face off?
It’ll be a Wednesday night classic as Illawarra hosts Melbourne in Round 8, with the likes of Tyler Harvey and Will Hickey hosting Chris Goulding, Milton Doyle and United.
Illawarra v Melbourne – Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – 7.30pm AEDT – WIN Entertainment Centre

How do I get tickets and enquire about membership?
Ticketing information is available on the respective clubs' websites for the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season.