The 2026-2027 NBL schedule has officially landed and, fresh off the biggest season in league history, the competition is wasting no time making a statement.
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The NBL will launch straight into the heart of AFL and NRL finals season, with 13 games scheduled across the opening nine days as it continues to strengthen its place in Australia’s crowded sporting calendar.
The 2026-27 fixture will feature 165 games across 21 rounds, building on the momentum of the league’s biggest and busiest regular season in history the year prior.
If last season is anything to go by, that growth shows no signs of slowing. The league set a new Championship Series attendance record, with 18,589 fans attending a single game, while 63 matches sold out across the season, another all-time high.
The new season, with every game shown live on ESPN and ESPN on Kayo, tips off at John Cain Arena on Saturday, September 19, as Melbourne United host the Adelaide 36ers in one of Round 1’s standout fixtures.
The opening clash is set to mark the long-awaited NBL debut of NBA veteran Joe Ingles in Melbourne colours, while also doubling as the first official game for Trevor Gleeson as Adelaide head coach following his reunion with six-time MVP Bryce Cotton.
Saturday, September 19
Melbourne United vs. Adelaide 36ers, John Cain Arena, 7:30pm AEDT
Perth Wildcats vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix, RAC Arena, 9:30pm AEDT
Sunday, September 20
New Zealand Breakers vs. Illawarra Hawks, Spark Arena, 3:00pm AEDT
Sydney Kings vs. Cairns Taipans, Qudos Bank Arena, 5:00pm AEDT
Monday, September 21
Tasmania JackJumpers vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix, MyState Bank Arena, 7:30pm AEDT
Tuesday, September 22
Brisbane Bullets vs. New Zealand Breakers, venue TBC, 7:30pm AEDT
Wednesday, September 23
Cairns Taipans vs. Tasmania JackJumpers, Cairns Convention Centre, 7:30pm AEDT
Thursday, September 24
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs. Melbourne United, John Cain Arena, 7:30pm AEDT
Perth Wildcats vs. Adelaide 36ers, RAC Arena, 9:30pm AEDT
Friday, September 25
Brisbane Bullets vs. Illawarra Hawks, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm AEDT
Saturday, September 26
Perth Wildcats vs. New Zealand Breakers, RAC Arena, 9:30pm AEDT
Sunday, September 27
Sydney Kings vs. Illawarra Hawks, Qudos Bank Arena, 3:00pm AEDT
Adelaide 36ers vs. Cairns Taipans, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 5:00pm AEDT
Throughout the season, fans will also be treated to a packed calendar of marquee events designed to showcase the league’s growing talent and entertainment appeal.
The NBL27 schedule features 20 Ignite Cup games, four themed rounds, five days of HoopsFest in Perth (January 13-17) and the return of the popular 12 Days of Christmas fixture block (December 16-17).
Round 7 will feature the return of Hungry Jack’s Rookie Round (October 29 to November 2), shining a spotlight on grassroots basketball and the league’s emerging young talent. That leads into Indigenous Round in Round 10 (November 19–22), which celebrates First Nations culture and heritage across the competition.
Pride Round follows in Round 16 (January 7–10), reinforcing the league’s commitment to inclusivity and community.
“This schedule has been built for the fans,” NBL Chief Operating Officer & Head of Basketball Operations Vince Crivelli said.
“The rivalries, the stars, the individual matchups – they’re all here. There’s not a round that doesn’t have something huge at stake. That’s what makes the regular season so compelling, and why we can’t wait to get underway. In our League, every game matters and there’s nowhere to hide.“
Combined with the expanded fixture list and blockbuster match-ups throughout the year, the 2026-2027 NBL season is shaping up to be the biggest and most exciting season in its history.
GAMES TO CIRCLE IN YOUR CALENDAR
1. Perth Wildcats vs. Adelaide 36ers, September 24 (9:30pm AEDT)
As part of a packed stretch of 13 games in nine days, the NBL has delivered a genuine blockbuster between two of the league’s most passionate fanbases.
This one carries extra weight with Bryce Cotton and Trevor Gleeson set to return to RAC Arena for the first time since their championship-winning era in Perth. Together, the pair helped shape a dynasty, with Gleeson collecting five titles as head coach during his eight-year stint at the club.
Now they’re on opposite sides, and the storyline writes itself. Add in the noise of a Perth home crowd and the anticipation around what this Adelaide side might become, and it has all the makings of a season-defining clash. If rumours around a potential Patty Mills link ever come to life, it only adds another layer to an already massive fixture.
This is one to circle early.
2. Melbourne United vs. Adelaide 36ers, September 19 (7:30pm AEDT)
There’s no easing into NBL27, with Opening Night delivering a heavyweight clash between two of the competition’s premier clubs.
All eyes will be on Joe Ingles, who begins his NBL return in Melbourne United colours after a 12-year NBA career, stepping out in front of a home crowd at John Cain Arena.
Across the floor, Adelaide enter a new era under Trevor Gleeson, making his debut in charge of a roster built to contend immediately. The coaching subplot alone adds plenty of intrigue, with two proven winners going head-to-head straight away.
It’s the perfect way to launch the season, big names, fresh storylines, and two clubs with genuine title ambitions.
3. Sydney Kings vs. Adelaide 36ers, October 11 (3:00pm AEDT)
A Championship Series rematch rarely needs selling, and this one is no different.
The Kings and 36ers went the distance last season in a five-game classic that delivered right down to the final moments, with Sydney ultimately crowned champions after a hard-fought series.
Adelaide will be out for revenge, bringing a refreshed roster and renewed edge into a rivalry that has quickly developed real bite. Sydney, meanwhile, are still shaping their group, with questions around Kendric Davis adding another layer of uncertainty.
Brian Goorjian against Trevor Gleeson is a coaching matchup that speaks for itself. This is high-stakes basketball, even in October.
4. South East Melbourne Phoenix vs. Melbourne United, September 24 (7:30pm AEDT)
This rivalry has shifted in a big way over the past 12 months.
South East Melbourne are no longer just chasing Melbourne United, they’ve proven they can match them, and in stretches even surpass them. After a breakthrough season under Josh King, the Phoenix have grown into a legitimate force in the league.
United still hold the recent edge, winning three of the four meetings last season, but the gap between the two clubs feels closer than ever heading into NBL27.
With both sides still finalising imports, there’s also the chance this rivalry enters a new chapter with fresh faces and even more unpredictability.
One thing hasn’t changed though, whenever these two meet, it feels personal.
NBL27 FIXTURE BY MONTH
SEPTEMBER 2026
Saturday, September 19
Melbourne United v Adelaide 36ers (John Cain Arena, 7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix (RAC Arena, 9:30pm)
Sunday, September 20
New Zealand Breakers v Illawarra Hawks (Spark Arena, 3:00pm)
Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans (Qudos Bank Arena, 5:00pm)
Monday, September 21
Tasmania JackJumpers v South East Melbourne Phoenix (MyState Bank Arena, 7:30pm)
Tuesday, September 22
Brisbane Bullets v New Zealand Breakers (TBC, 7:30pm)
Wednesday, September 23
Cairns Taipans v Tasmania JackJumpers (Cairns Convention Centre, 7:30pm)
Thursday, September 24
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Melbourne United (John Cain Arena, 7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v Adelaide 36ers (RAC Arena, 9:30pm)
Friday, September 25
Brisbane Bullets v Illawarra Hawks (Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm)
Saturday, September 26
Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers (RAC Arena, 9:30pm)
Sunday, September 27
Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks (Qudos Bank Arena, 3:00pm)
Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans (Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 5:00pm)
Wednesday, September 30
New Zealand Breakers v Cairns Taipans (Spark Arena, 5:30pm)
Sydney Kings v Brisbane Bullets (Qudos Bank Arena, 7:30pm)
OCTOBER
Thursday, October 1
Tasmania JackJumpers v Melbourne United (MyState Bank Arena, 7:30pm)
Friday, October 2
Illawarra Hawks v Adelaide 36ers (WIN Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix (RAC Arena, 9:30pm)
Saturday, October 3
Brisbane Bullets v Tasmania JackJumpers (Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 5:30pm)
Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans (John Cain Arena, 7:30pm)
Sunday, October 4
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Illawarra Hawks (John Cain Arena, 3:00pm)
Adelaide 36ers v New Zealand Breakers (Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 5:00pm)
Wednesday, October 7
Adelaide 36ers v Melbourne United (Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm)
Thursday, October 8
Cairns Taipans v Brisbane Bullets (Cairns Convention Centre, 7:30pm)
Friday, October 9
Illawarra Hawks v Tasmania JackJumpers (WIN Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm)
Saturday, October 10
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Melbourne United (John Cain Arena, 7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers (RAC Arena, 9:30pm)
Sunday, October 11
Sydney Kings v Adelaide 36ers (Qudos Bank Arena, 3:00pm)
Illawarra Hawks v Cairns Taipans (WIN Entertainment Centre, 5:00pm)
Wednesday, October 14
Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers (TBC, 7:30pm)
Thursday, October 15
Brisbane Bullets v South East Melbourne Phoenix (Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm)
Friday, October 16
Tasmania JackJumpers v Adelaide 36ers (MyState Bank Arena, 7:30pm)
Saturday, October 17
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Cairns Taipans (John Cain Arena, 5:30pm)
Sydney Kings v Perth Wildcats (Qudos Bank Arena, 7:30pm)
Sunday, October 18
Tasmania JackJumpers v New Zealand Breakers (3:00pm)
Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks (5:00pm)
Wednesday, October 21
Tasmania JackJumpers v Brisbane Bullets (7:30pm)
Thursday, October 22
Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings (7:30pm)
Friday, October 23
Perth Wildcats v Melbourne United (9:30pm)
Saturday, October 24
Illawarra Hawks v Brisbane Bullets (5:30pm)
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Adelaide 36ers (7:30pm)
Sunday, October 25
Cairns Taipans v New Zealand Breakers (3:00pm)
Melbourne United v Sydney Kings (5:00pm)
Wednesday, October 28
Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings (9:30pm)
Thursday, October 29
Brisbane Bullets v Cairns Taipans (7:30pm)
Friday, October 30
New Zealand Breakers v Adelaide 36ers (5:30pm)
Tasmania JackJumpers v Sydney Kings (7:30pm)
Saturday, October 31
Cairns Taipans v Melbourne United (7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v Illawarra Hawks (9:30pm)
Sunday, November 1
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Tasmania JackJumpers (3:00pm)
Adelaide 36ers v Brisbane Bullets (5:00pm)
Monday, November 2
Melbourne United v New Zealand Breakers (7:30pm)
NOVEMBER
Wednesday, November 4
Brisbane Bullets v Perth Wildcats (7:30pm)
Thursday, November 5
Cairns Taipans v Illawarra Hawks (7:30pm)
Friday, November 6
Tasmania JackJumpers v New Zealand Breakers (7:30pm)
Saturday, November 7
Adelaide 36ers v Illawarra Hawks (5:30pm)
Melbourne United v Brisbane Bullets (7:30pm)
Sunday, November 8
Sydney Kings v South East Melbourne Phoenix (3:00pm)
Perth Wildcats v Cairns Taipans (5:00pm)
Wednesday, November 11
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Illawarra Hawks (7:30pm)
Thursday, November 12
Adelaide 36ers v Melbourne United (7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v Tasmania JackJumpers (9:30pm)
Friday, November 13
New Zealand Breakers v Brisbane Bullets (5:30pm)
Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings (7:30pm)
Saturday, November 14
Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix (7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v Illawarra Hawks (9:30pm)
Sunday, November 15
Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers (3:00pm)
Brisbane Bullets v Tasmania JackJumpers (5:00pm)
Wednesday, November 18
New Zealand Breakers v South East Melbourne Phoenix (5:30pm)
Thursday, November 19
Illawarra Hawks v Adelaide 36ers (7:30pm)
Friday, November 20
Cairns Taipans v Perth Wildcats (7:30pm)
Saturday, November 21
Tasmania JackJumpers v Illawarra Hawks (5:30pm)
Melbourne United v New Zealand Breakers (7:30pm)
Sunday, November 22
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Cairns Taipans (3:00pm)
Brisbane Bullets v Sydney Kings (5:00pm)
DECEMBER
Wednesday, December 2
Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix (7:30pm)
Thursday, December 3
Brisbane Bullets v Perth Wildcats (7:30pm)
Friday, December 4
New Zealand Breakers v Melbourne United (5:30pm)
Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings (7:30pm)
Saturday, December 5
Cairns Taipans v South East Melbourne Phoenix (5:30pm)
Adelaide 36ers v Tasmania JackJumpers (7:30pm)
Sunday, December 6
Melbourne United v Brisbane Bullets (3:00pm)
Sydney Kings v Perth Wildcats (5:00pm)
Wednesday, December 9
Cairns Taipans v Adelaide 36ers (7:30pm)
Thursday, December 10
Illawarra Hawks v Tasmania JackJumpers (7:30pm)
Friday, December 11
New Zealand Breakers v Sydney Kings (5:30pm)
Saturday, December 12
Cairns Taipans v Brisbane Bullets (5:30pm)
Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers (7:30pm)
Sunday, December 13
Adelaide 36ers v Sydney Kings (3:00pm)
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Perth Wildcats (5:00pm)
Wednesday, December 16
Perth Wildcats v Melbourne United (9:30pm)
Thursday, December 17
Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans (7:30pm)
Friday, December 18
New Zealand Breakers v Tasmania JackJumpers (5:30pm)
Saturday, December 19
Adelaide 36ers v Brisbane Bullets (5:30pm)
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Sydney Kings (7:30pm)
Sunday, December 20
Illawarra Hawks v Melbourne United (3:00pm)
Cairns Taipans v Perth Wildcats (5:00pm)
Monday, December 21
Tasmania JackJumpers v Adelaide 36ers (7:30pm)
Tuesday, December 22
New Zealand Breakers v Brisbane Bullets (5:30pm)
Wednesday, December 23
Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans (7:30pm)
Thursday, December 24
Adelaide 36ers v Perth Wildcats (7:30pm)
Friday, December 25
Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks (TBC)
Saturday, December 26
Tasmania JackJumpers v South East Melbourne Phoenix (7:30pm)
Sunday, December 27
Illawarra Hawks v New Zealand Breakers (3:00pm)
Brisbane Bullets v Cairns Taipans (5:00pm)
JANUARY
Tuesday, December 29
Sydney Kings v Melbourne United (7:30pm)
Wednesday, December 30
Brisbane Bullets v Adelaide 36ers (7:30pm)
Thursday, December 31
Cairns Taipans v New Zealand Breakers (7:30pm)
Illawarra Hawks v South East Melbourne Phoenix (5:30pm)
Friday, January 1
Tasmania JackJumpers v Perth Wildcats (7:30pm)
Saturday, January 2
Illawarra Hawks v Cairns Taipans (5:30pm)
Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix (7:30pm)
Sunday, January 3
New Zealand Breakers v Perth Wildcats (3:00pm)
Brisbane Bullets v Melbourne United (5:00pm)
Monday, January 4
Sydney Kings v Tasmania JackJumpers (7:30pm)
Wednesday, January 6
Illawarra Hawks v Perth Wildcats (7:30pm)
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Tasmania JackJumpers (7:30pm)
Thursday, January 7
Melbourne United v Adelaide 36ers (7:30pm)
Friday, January 8
New Zealand Breakers v Illawarra Hawks (5:30pm)
Brisbane Bullets v Sydney Kings (7:30pm)
Saturday, January 9
Cairns Taipans v Tasmania JackJumpers (5:30pm)
Adelaide 36ers v Perth Wildcats (7:30pm)
Sunday, January 10
South East Melbourne Phoenix v New Zealand Breakers (3:00pm)
Sydney Kings v Melbourne United (5:00pm)
Wednesday, January 13
Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans (9:30pm)
Thursday, January 14
Sydney Kings v South East Melbourne Phoenix (9:30pm)
Friday, January 15
Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers (9:30pm)
Saturday, January 16
Tasmania JackJumpers v Adelaide 36ers (9:30pm)
Sunday, January 17
Brisbane Bullets v Illawarra Hawks (5:00pm)
Wednesday, January 20
Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers (5:30pm)
Illawarra Hawks v New Zealand Breakers (7:30pm)
Thursday, January 21
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Adelaide 36ers (7:30pm)
Friday, January 22
Tasmania JackJumpers v Cairns Taipans (7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings (9:30pm)
Saturday, January 23
Adelaide 36ers v Illawarra Hawks (5:30pm)
Brisbane Bullets v Melbourne United (7:30pm)
Sunday, January 24
New Zealand Breakers v Cairns Taipans (3:00pm)
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Perth Wildcats (5:00pm)
Monday, January 25
Sydney Kings v Brisbane Bullets (7:30pm)
Wednesday, January 27
Tasmania JackJumpers v Illawarra Hawks (5:30pm)
Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings (7:30pm)
Thursday, January 28
Brisbane Bullets v South East Melbourne Phoenix (7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v Adelaide 36ers (9:30pm)
Friday, January 29
New Zealand Breakers v Melbourne United (5:30pm)
Saturday, January 30
Illawarra Hawks v Perth Wildcats (5:30pm)
Adelaide 36ers v Sydney Kings (7:30pm)
Sunday, January 31
Cairns Taipans v South East Melbourne Phoenix (5:00pm)
Tasmania JackJumpers v Brisbane Bullets (7:30pm)
FEBRUARY
Thursday, February 4
New Zealand Breakers v South East Melbourne Phoenix (5:30pm)
Illawarra Hawks v Brisbane Bullets (7:30pm)
Friday, February 5
Tasmania JackJumpers v Melbourne United (7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v Cairns Taipans (9:30pm)
Saturday, February 6
Brisbane Bullets v Adelaide 36ers (5:30pm)
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Sydney Kings (7:30pm)
Sunday, February 7
New Zealand Breakers v Tasmania JackJumpers (3:00pm)
Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats (5:00pm)
Wednesday, February 10
Tasmania JackJumpers v Perth Wildcats (7:30pm)
Thursday, February 11
New Zealand Breakers v Sydney Kings (5:30pm)
Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix (7:30pm)
Friday, February 12
Cairns Taipans v Adelaide 36ers (7:30pm)
Perth Wildcats v Brisbane Bullets (9:30pm)
Saturday, February 13
Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks (5:30pm)
Sydney Kings v Tasmania JackJumpers (7:30pm)
Sunday, February 14
Adelaide 36ers v New Zealand Breakers (3:00pm)
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Brisbane Bullets (5:00pm)
You can scan the QR code below to add your teams games to your calendar to prepare for the upcoming season.