- Tip-off today for Australia's largest basketball festival in Perth
- Inaugural event includes every game of the opening round of the 2024-25 NBL season, the WNBL preseason tournament and Australian Under 18 Club Championships
- Community activations will also take place with a dedicated Fan Zone set up in Forrest Place and Sneakerland event to be held over the weekend
- Supported by the Cook Government
It's tip-off today for Australia's biggest basketball festival, HoopsFest, with the opening round of the 2024-25 NBL season, preseason tournament for the WNBL, the Australian Under 18 Club Championships plus a range of community events taking place across Perth over four huge action-packed days.
Nearly 120 games from across the three leagues will take place across four of Perth's top basketball venues - including RAC Arena, the recently-revamped HBF Stadium in Mount Claremont, Bendat Basketball Centre in Floreat and HBF Arena in Joondalup.
The WNBL's Perth Lynx will officially launch Hoopsfest this afternoon at RAC Arena as they take on the Sydney Flames, before the NBL's Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers go head-to-head in a replay of last season's huge NBL Championship Series.
NBA icon Carmelo Anthony will headline the festival, making exclusive appearances and getting a first glimpse at the upcoming talent in the NBL Next Stars program.
Alongside the on-court action, a HoopsFest Fan Zone will take over Forrest Place this week with highlights to include NBL and WNBL player appearances and skill sessions, a slam dunk exhibition and a pop-up basketball court.
With live music, DJs and food trucks, the Fan Zone will be a hub for all things HoopsFest, in the heart of the Perth CBD.
Australia's largest streetwear and sneaker event, Sneakerland, will also return to Perth this weekend as part of HoopsFest and will showcase sought-after sneakers at RAC Arena.
Plus, internationally renowned DJ Hayden James is set to ignite RAC Arena across two nights of music and celebration, spinning sets from within a 30-metre, two tiered boombox installation.
Out-of-state visitors are expected to flock to WA for the basketball festival, in a major boost for the WA economy.
HoopsFest will showcase the Cook Government's ongoing investment in world-class sports facilities, including a $5 million upgrade of RAC Arena's incredible new super screen to ensure every moment of the festival is bigger and bolder than ever.
HoopsFest is yet another Australian-exclusive fixture on WA's sporting events calendar, helping to boost WA's reputation as the fastest-growing events destination in the South East Asia region.
Tickets and further information are available at http://www.HoopsFest.com.au
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We are so excited to be hosting HoopsFest in Perth - another major win for WA's always-on calendar of incredible events.
"With the likes of former NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Kenny Smith in attendance, a Sneakerland exhibition and fan zone plus top-quality basketball across Perth, it really is going to be the biggest four days of basketball we've ever seen.
"This inaugural blockbuster event is set to draw basketball fans from across the country and bring millions of dollars into the WA economy.
"It's also another opportunity to showcase Western Australia as an incredible tourism destination and a leading host of major events."
Comments attributed to Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"Basketball has a passionate fan base here in WA, so there is no better place to host the first ever HoopsFest.
"WA is home to premium sporting facilities, with the recently unveiled major $1.6 million upgrades at HBF Stadium, plus the new $5 million super screen at RAC Arena promising to add to the experience for players and fans.
"We look forward to welcoming the NBL, WNBL and U18 Championships teams to Perth this week for the biggest ever basketball celebration in Australian history."
