Fixture: October Tip-Off Confirmed For NBL

Monday, July 25, 2022

The Hungry Jack’s NBL returns to its traditional summer timeslot tipping-off with a huge double-header on Saturday, October 1.

“We are thrilled to be back where we belong on the sports’ calendar and playing in spring and summer, through to March next year,” Hungry Jack’s NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.

“After two interrupted seasons, we are excited to provide fans with a full schedule so they can confidently plan for the year and attend and watch as many games as possible.”

The League is coming off one of its most successful years in recent history, achieving unprecedented growth with the total number of fans swelling to almost four million and total attendances up 17 per cent.

Average TV audiences are up 12 per cent, with almost 230 million international viewers reached through global broadcasts.

“With just 68 days remaining until the season-opener, I’m sure our clubs, players, fans, broadcasters, and partners share a strong level of excitement ahead of what promises to be another spectacular season of world class basketball and entertainment.”

The race for the championship will begin when the South East Melbourne Phoenix host the Tasmania JackJumpers, and the Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings do battle in the New South Wales derby.

An Australian sporting first will take place when the Kings host Melbourne United on Christmas Day with matches also to be played on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

In what will be one of the most significant moments of the season, the New Zealand Breakers will return to Spark Arena on October 7 against the JackJumpers.

It will be the first time in 489 days the Breakers have played at home in New Zealand.

“The sacrifices the New Zealand Breakers have made, and what they’ve had to endure over the past two seasons is unprecedented and we are forever grateful,” Loeliger added.

“We simply can’t wait for them to be welcomed home in front of what is sure to be a raucous crowd in Auckland.”

Every game of the season will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel, with Sunday games simulcast on 10 Peach and 10 Play.

The NBL’s pre-season event, the Blitz, will take place in Darwin in mid- September, with dates to be announced soon.

Highlights of the 2022/23 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season include:
- Tip-off: Phoenix vs JackJumpers and Hawks Vs Kings - October 1, 2022
- Breakers return home: Breakers vs JackJumpers – October 7, 2022
- Grand Final re-match: Kings vs JackJumpers – December 11, 2022
- Open Air Game: United vs Taipans - December 23, 2022
- Christmas Eve: 36ers vs Phoenix – December 24, 2022
- Christmas Day: Kings vs United – December 25, 2022
- Boxing Day: JackJumpers vs Breakers – December 26, 2022
- New Year’s Eve: Hawks vs Wildcats and Taipans vs 36ers - December 31, 2022
- New Year’s Day: JackJumpers vs Phoenix and Bullets v United – January 1, 2023
- Australia Day: Bullets v Breakers – January 26, 2023