The city’s love affair with basketball is set to heat up again, with HoopsFest 2026 returning to Perth from January 15th to 18th.
Following the success of last year’s blockbuster debut, this four-day festival will once again bring the full National Basketball League (NBL) and Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) schedules to Perth in a regular-season takeover, like the AFL’s Gather Round in Adelaide.
From elite competition at RAC Arena to a city-wide celebration of basketball culture, HoopsFest will be one of the biggest sporting events on WA’s summer calendar — and a slam dunk for local tourism.
Hoops, culture, community
Round 17 of the NBL and Round 14 of the WNBL seasons will be played exclusively in Perth, with RAC Arena and other top-tier venues hosting every game, team training session, and fan experience across the four-day festival.
New for 2026 is the HoopsFest Cup — a national tournament featuring more than 30 open-aged community teams from across Australia, all vying for a $50,000 prize pool. It’s a grassroots moment on a national stage, giving everyday players a chance to be part of the big show.
Off the court, the energy continues with the return of the HoopsFest Fan Festival, a lively precinct celebrating all things basketball — music, art, streetwear, sneaker culture, and more. Perth’s sneakerheads will also be thrilled by the return of Sneakerland, the country’s biggest sneaker expo, running alongside the action.
Big numbers, big impact
Last year’s inaugural HoopsFest generated over $6.1 million in economic impact for WA, attracting thousands of interstate visitors and proving Perth’s credentials as a premier sporting events destination.
Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said bringing the event back for a second year highlights the state’s growing status on the global sports stage.
“With the success of last year’s inaugural HoopsFest, the Cook Government is proud to have secured Australia’s biggest basketball festival once again,” he said.
“This exciting event gives us yet another opportunity to showcase our world-class sporting facilities and spotlight Western Australia as an incredible tourism destination.”
Perfect timing for families and fans
HoopsFest 2026 falls during the January school holidays, making it an ideal summer outing for families, kids, and basketball fans of all ages. Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti said the return of the event is a win for the community as well as the economy.
“Basketball has a passionate fan base here in WA, and off the back of a hugely popular first iteration, there really is no better place for HoopsFest to make its return,” she said.
“It’s yet another massive sporting event being hosted in WA over the next six months, and being held during the January school holidays makes it a perfect outing for families and kids.”
With the State of Origin II, The Ashes’ West Test, WWE Crown Jewel: Perth, and now HoopsFest 2026, Western Australia is setting the pace as the country’s hottest major events destination.
Tickets and event updates are available at nbl.com.au.
