NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series
| NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series | |
|---|---|
| League | National Basketball Association National Basketball League |
| Season | 2025–26 |
| Duration | 3 days |
| Games played | 2 |
| Teams | 3 |
The NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series is a series of pre-season exhibition basketball games that will take place between 3 - 5 October 2025 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The event is part of the NBLxNBA series, and is the first time that the series will be played in Australia. The event will feature the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association playing against Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League in two separate exhibition games.[1]
The event was announced on 11 March 2025, as a collaboration between the National Basketball Association, National Basketball League and the Victoria State Government.[2] The event will mark the first time that an NBA team has played in Australia, as well as the first time that the South East Melbourne Phoenix have played against an NBA team.
Background
On 11 March 2025, the National Basketball Association, National Basketball League and the Victoria State Government announced that the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA would play two exhibition games in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was announced that the NBL would be the official promoter and organiser of the Melbourne Series, and the Pelicans would play NBL sides Melbourne United on 3 October 2025, as well as the South East Melbourne Phoenix on 5 October 2025.[3] The Pelicans will also participate in NBA Cares community outreach initiatives and lifestyle events, including a fan night on 4 October 2025.[4]
Venue
Both games will be played at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| Australia |
|---|
| Melbourne |
| Rod Laver Arena |
| Capacity: 14,500[5] |
Games
See also
References
- ^ "Pelicans to play NBL teams in Australia". NBL. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
- ^ "Slam Dunk For Victoria With First NBA Games In Australia". Premier of Victoria. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ "New Orleans Pelicans to become first NBA team to play in Australia in NBL exhibitions". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
- ^ "NBA's bombshell announcement of games set to be played Down Under". news.com.au. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
- ^ "Rod Laver Arena". Austadiums. Retrieved 2025-03-11.