'We want HoopsFest back in Perth'

The 2026 HoopsFest has been hailed a success and there are already plans for the third instalment to return to Perth next year.

Shifting the four-day event to January, instead of September, as well as all nine games (five NBL and four WNBL) to RAC Arena allowed more than 35,000 fans to experience the excitement firsthand, representing a 25 per cent increase on the inaugural event.

Due to this rousing success, Executive Director, NBL Group Larry Kestelman is keen to bring HoopsFest, Australasia’s biggest basketball, culture and lifestyle festival, back to Perth for another year.

“It is much bigger and better than last year. We want it to be back here. We’ll see if we can bring it back again,” Kestelman said to The West Australian.

“Perth works because there is a love of basketball. People love the sport. Having all of us here is a wonderful product. Perth is a great city. Saturday was incredible. You had ourselves, Sail GP and the cricket and everything was full. Perth loves sport and loves an event so we’re very happy to be here.

“I like it better at this time of the year. It’s worked really well in the January school holidays. I think it will build every year because people can see how amazing an event it is."

The 2026 event was attended by NBA icon Allen Iverson and featured the HoopsFest Cup, Fan Zone and Sneakerland.

Round 18 of the NBL26 season tips off on Wednesday night with an Ignite Cup double-header, starting with Melbourne and Brisbane at 5.30pm AEDT before South East Melbourne hosts New Zealand at 7.30pm AEDT.

Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Read the full story here >> NBL owner Larry Kestelman declares Perth is the perfect location for HoopsFest into the future