Hungry Jack's NBL
HoopsFest an "incredible celebration"
Written By
NBL.com.au
NBL CEO David Stevenson says next week's inaugural HoopsFest will be "an incredible celebration of all things basketball".
For the first time, all aspects of the game will unite in one place in Perth, as WA locals and interstate visitors get set to enjoy all things hoops, from the NBL, WNBL, U18 Australian Club Championships, NBA’s Basketball Without Borders, award winning DJ Hayden James, Sneakerland, appearances from NBA legends Carmelo Anthony and Kenny Smith, and more.
“It’s so unique to be able to have all 10 teams playing their round one game, as well as all eight WNBL teams, as well as the best part of 32 U18 teams, Sneakerland, we’ve got Carmelo Anthony coming along - it’s just going to be an incredible celebration of all things basketball,” Stevenson said on ABC radio.
We’re less than 30 days away from HoopsFest 😲
— NBL (@NBL) August 22, 2024
Get your tickets at https://t.co/DDrNXeuWfW 🎟️@WestAustralia #WAtheDreamState ☀️ pic.twitter.com/3q4ADh8cjH
Having experienced the behind-the-scenes operation of this kind of concept before, Stevenson has used his time with the AFL and ‘Gather Round’ to bring more than just hoops on the court to the Western Australian region.
HoopsFest will feature high-profile celebrities such as Anthony and Smith, and global tennis star Nick Kyrgios, a Fan Zone will be open to the public with multiple activations to take place, and a live performance from world-renowned DJ Hayden James at the RAC Arena BoomBox to headline the major event.
“I was very heavily involved in Gather Round…I think where we’re not at yet, as a sport, is where everyone is going to jump on a plane and see 10 teams playing. So therefore we had to amplify the whole experience,” Stevenson said.
Global tennis star @NickKyrgios is set to elevate Australia’s biggest basketball event 👀
— NBL (@NBL) September 8, 2024
Get your tickets: https://t.co/Ac6EQY3RJA@WestAustralia #WATheDreamState ☀️ pic.twitter.com/fb9fTjnFaF
The conversation of Perth hosting HoopsFest each year is still alive, with Stevenson saying his conversations with the Western Australian Government have been positive.
“Our conversations with the Western Australian Government have been really encouraging and they’ve loved the result so far. They love the concept, particularly the way in which we can bring the whole sport together,” he said.
The 2024/25 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season begins in Perth with the inaugural HoopsFest from September 19-22. The season opener will be a Championship Series re-match between Melbourne United and the Tasmania JackJumpers at 8:30pm AEST at RAC Arena on Thursday, September 19.
