Sold out: Stage set for dramatic Throwdown

The first Throwdown of the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season looms as an absolute blockbuster, and the fans agree, with South East Melbourne announcing the match is a sell-out.

This fixture marks the Phoenix's first home game of 2026-27 and is the League's second sell-out in four days, following Brisbane's win over New Zealand.

One who knows all about arguably the League's biggest rivalry is Phoenix's managing owner Romie Chaudhari, who hit back, via X, at Melbourne United's comments calling it the 'city's premier club'.

"Throwdowns, Throw-ups, and the Old Man Flopper....can't wait, it looks like it will be a sold out performance!," Chaudhari said on X.

"One thing I can say, I could hear a pin drop at the last MU home game I went to, even though the game was sold out.

"Luckily it's our home game, so I know it's gonna be a lot more fun in there. We could have half the fans there, and we'll still be twice as loud.

"We haven't won it all yet, like they have done multiple times, they can say what they want. What goes up eventually does come down....regardless, I ride or die with my Phoenix family!

"Let the self-proclaimed "premier club in the city" talk its mess now - we will keep workin, our time will come."

Tip-off of Thursday’s crosstown rivalry is 7.30pm AEST, live on ESPN.

Read more >> 'On another level': Rivals prepare for fierce Throwdown