Hungry Jack's NBL27 schedule revealed

The Hungry Jack’s NBL27 schedule has dropped, delivering 165 games across 21 rounds - all live on ESPN.

When the first ball goes up at John Cain Arena on Saturday, September 19, all eyes will be on NBA veteran Joe Ingles as he steps out in Melbourne United colours for the first time against the Adelaide 36ers. Six-time MVP Bryce Cotton will be out for redemption after coming up just short last season, with that game the first of 13 across a bumper nine-day span.

Fans will be treated to 20 Ignite Cup games, 39 matchups on the Nine Network, four themed rounds, five days of HoopsFest Perth, presented by Virgin Australia, and 12 Days of Christmas, making it the most action-packed calendar the League has ever released.

“This schedule has been built for the fans,” NBL Chief Operating Officer and 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."

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Round 7 sees the return of Hungry Jack’s Rookie Round (Thursday, October 29 – Monday, November 2), celebrating grassroots basketball and the next generation of talent, before Indigenous Round in Round 10 (Thursday, November 19 – Sunday, November 22), honouring First Nations culture and heritage.

The 12 Days of Christmas features across Rounds 13 and 14, running from Wednesday, December 16 through to Sunday, December 27, keeping fans captivated through the holiday period with wall-to-wall summer hoops.

Pride Round follows in Round 16 (Thursday, January 7 – Sunday, January 10), reaffirming the NBL’s commitment to inclusivity, then it’s across to Perth for HoopsFest (Round 17, January 13–17); five days at RAC Arena featuring five marquee games and a pure celebration of basketball, culture and fans.

Opening Night delivers one of the biggest storylines in recent NBL history, with NBA veteran Joe Ingles set to make his Melbourne United debut against the Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena on Saturday, September 19. Superstar guard Nathan Sobey and the South East Melbourne Phoenix tip off their campaign against United, giving them an opportunity to claim Throwdown bragging rights on Thursday, September 24.

The Tasmania JackJumpers return to MyState Bank Arena on Monday, September 21, for the club’s first home game of NBL27, with fans to get their first look at star recruit Taran Armstrong on their home floor against the Phoenix.

Round 2 features the return of former Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson to RAC Arena, as the Adelaide 36ers and six-time MVP Bryce Cotton face the Perth Wildcats in one of the most anticipated coaching matchups of the season.

Will Weaver’s first trip back to Qudos Bank Arena headlines Round 3, with the Brisbane Bullets’ coach returning to Sydney on Wednesday, September 30.

The first Championship Series rematch arrives in Round 4 when defending champions the Xavier Cooks and the Sydney Kings host the 36ers at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, October 11.

The NBL’s Christmas Day showcase returns on Friday, December 25, with the Kings and Illawarra Hawks to meet at Qudos Bank Arena in a marquee festive clash.

New Year’s Eve features a blockbuster double-header, beginning with Illawarra hosting South East Melbourne at WIN Entertainment Centre, before the Jack McVeigh’s Cairns Taipans take on last season’s Most Improved Player in Sam Mennenga and the New Zealand Breakers at Cairns Convention Centre to close out 2026.

From Opening Night through to HoopsFest Perth and the race to the Finals beyond Christmas, the NBL27 schedule delivers a season packed with marquee moments across every round.

The full schedule, including game times, venues and broadcast details, is available now via the NBL App.

Fans are encouraged to sync their favourite team’s schedule and stay across NBL channels for ticket information and further announcements as the countdown to September begins.

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