Perth is about to become the centre of Australia’s basketball universe, with HoopsFest returning to RAC Arena from Wednesday, January 15th to Saturday, January 18th for its second year.
The massive four-day festival will exclusively host Round 17 of the National Basketball League (NBL) season and Round 14 of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season, bringing thousands of fans from across the country to Perth during the school holidays.
Last year’s inaugural event generated more than $6.1 million in economic impact for Western Australia, and this year’s festival is expected to deliver another significant boost to Perth’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
NBA legend Allen Iverson headlines festival
Basketball fans will get the chance to see NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer Allen “The Answer” Iverson in person, bringing genuine global stardom to Perth’s summer calendar.
Following last year’s appearance by Carmelo Anthony, the 11-time NBA All-Star adds significant international credibility to HoopsFest, helping to grow Perth’s reputation as a destination for major sporting events.
New HoopsFest Cup brings community basketball
A fresh addition to this year’s festival is the HoopsFest Cup, which brings together more than 30 community teams from around Australia to compete for $50,000 in prize money.
The national tournament adds another dimension to the event, celebrating grassroots basketball alongside the elite NBL and WNBL competitions.
Free fan festival takes over Forrest Place
Beyond the games at RAC Arena, basketball culture spills into the city with Bounce Nation, the free HoopsFest Fan Zone at Forrest Place.
The hub features interactive games, competitions, appearances by NBL and WNBL players, signing sessions, a pop-up half-court for shootarounds and skill sessions, plus 3×3 Hustle events and a Special Olympics showcase.
DJs, food trucks, giveaways, and merchandise stalls will create a festival atmosphere right in Perth’s city centre, making it accessible for families and locals throughout the school holidays.
Sneakerland also returns, billed as Australia’s largest sneaker culture festival, celebrating the intersection of basketball and street fashion.
Part of Perth’s packed summer events calendar
HoopsFest Perth 2026 joins an impressive lineup of major events Perth is hosting this summer, including United Cup 2026, the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG, HSBC Rugby SVNS Perth, the 2026 AAMI AFL Origin, and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
Tickets are available at hoopsfest.com.au.
