Sell out for NBL Euro Game Opener

Basketball history will be made tonight in Melbourne, with a capacity crowd headed to John Cain Arena for the opening game of the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

In an unprecedented scene for the NBL and basketball in Australia, fans will be split with support for Panathinaikos and KK Partizan meaning some will proudly wear green while others will be draped in black-and-white.

“To have close to 11,000 people in the arena and a true split between Panathinaikos and Partizan supporters is something we’ve never seen before on Australian soil in basketball," NBL Director Nikola Milivojevic said.

"We will all get to witness and experience the passion and energy these clubs bring, and it sets the perfect stage for the Sydney games on Sunday where fans can expect the same intensity and spectacle.”

The demand for tickets underlines the excitement and global significance of this historic occasion, with the tournament being held outside Europe for the first time.

“The success of this tournament is a testament of the legacy that Pavlos Giannakopoulos left behind”, President of Panathinaikos AKTOR BC, Vassilis Parthenopoulos said.

“He was a visionary leader and the heart of Panathinaikos for decades. We are so proud to showcase our club in front of our passionate supporters in Melbourne tonight, and to do the same in Sydney on Sunday.”

SHOP THE OFFICIAL PAVLOS GIANNAKOPOULOS TOURNAMENT MERCHANDISE.

Ostoja Mijailović, President of KK Partizan, is delighted with the crowds. “We cannot understate how massive it is for two European clubs to attract close to 11,000 fans in Melbourne. It proves once again how basketball brings people together, and how important our club is to millions of supporters around the world. We will give the crowd a great show tonight, and we can’t wait to do it again on Sunday when we play in Sydney.”

After tonight, fans can turn their attention to Sydney and Qudos Bank Arena, where two blockbuster games will take place with Panathinaikos and Partizan lining up against the NBL's best in the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers.

Game Details:
KK Partizan vs Sydney Kings – 4.30pm AEST
Panathinaikos BC AKTOR vs Adelaide 36ers – 7.00pm AEST

Limited tickets for Sunday’s games are still available via Ticketek, and don’t miss the opening game tonight live from 7.30pm AEST, on Fox Sports 505, Disney+ and Kayo.

To further be part of the action and electric atmosphere, shop the official Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament and club merchandise via iathletic.com.au.