The NBL's 2026-27 season tips off on September 19, 2026, kicking off the league's 49th season with one of the most stacked opening nights in years. All 10 teams are back, the preseason Blitz is already underway, and the title race looks wide open. Here's every key date, the full team list, and the players and storylines worth following once the ball goes up.

When Does the 2026-27 NBL Season Start and Finish?

• Preseason (NBL Blitz): August 6 – September 12, 2026 (already underway)
• Regular season: September 19, 2026 – February 14, 2027 (165 games across 21 rounds)
• NBL Ignite Cup (in-season tournament): September 30, 2026 – February 21, 2027
• FIBA international breaks: November 23 – December 1, 2026, and February 22 – March 2, 2027 (Australia and New Zealand play World Cup qualifiers)
• Play-in tournament: February 2027
• Semifinals: March 2027
• Finals: March 2027

Meet the 10 NBL Teams for 2026-27

All ten teams from last season are back for another run at the title. Here's a quick look at each squad heading into the year:

• Adelaide 36ers — Led by six-time MVP Bryce Cotton and coach Trevor Gleeson, Adelaide added defensive piece Bul Kuol this offseason and enter the year as many previews' pick to finally go all the way.
• Melbourne United — The team everyone's curious about after landing two big names: five-time Olympian Joe Ingles signed a two-year deal and Cole Anthony signed a one-year contract.
• Sydney Kings — The reigning champions, fresh off their 6th title in 2025-26 with Finals MVP Kendric Davis leading the way.
• Tasmania JackJumpers — Tipped by multiple previews as one of the season's biggest threats to Adelaide's throne.
• Illawarra Hawks — Co-captained by Sam Froling and Tyler Harvey under coach Justin Tatum.
• Brisbane Bullets — Captain Mitch Norton leads the way under new head coach Will Weaver.
• Cairns Taipans — Captain Jack McVeigh returns under coach Adam Forde.
• Perth Wildcats — Back after reaching the semifinals in 2025-26, looking to push further this time around.
• S.E. Melbourne Phoenix — Also coming off a semifinal run last season, aiming to build on that momentum.
• New Zealand Breakers — Rounding out the league's 10-team field for another season across the Tasman.

Opening Night: The Game Everyone's Talking About

The 2026-27 opener is already being called one of the most anticipated in recent league history: Trevor Gleeson's Adelaide 36ers, led by six-time MVP Bryce Cotton, face off against a Melbourne United side debuting five-time Olympian Joe Ingles. It's the centrepiece of an extraordinary opening stretch that packs 13 games into the league's first nine days.

Adelaide's schedule alone is worth watching closely — they head to Perth for their second game of the season on September 24, then face Sydney in a Championship Series rematch on October 11.

Who's the Favourite to Win It All?

Early previews have Adelaide 36ers as the team to beat, pointing to their roster continuity, the addition of Bul Kuol on defence, and Bryce Cotton's continued MVP-level play as reasons they're favoured to go one better after falling just short last season. Melbourne United, Sydney Kings, and Tasmania JackJumpers are widely tipped as the main challengers, making this one of the more wide-open title races in recent NBL memory. As always, predictions are just that predictions and the schedule still has to play out.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the NBL 2026-27 season start? The regular season tips off on September 19, 2026, and runs through February 14, 2027.

How many teams are in the NBL? Ten teams are contesting the 2026-27 season, with the entire lineup unchanged from 2025-26.

Who are the defending NBL champions? The Sydney Kings enter the season as defending champions, having won their 6th title in 2025-26 with Kendric Davis named Finals MVP.

Where can I watch NBL games this season? NBL games are broadcast on ESPN/Foxtel, Nine Network/9Go!, and Sky Sport, with streaming available via Disney+, Kayo Sports, 9Now, NBL TV, and Sky Sport Now.

Where can teams get custom basketball uniforms for the new season? Local clubs and rep squads gearing up for their own season can design custom basketball uniforms for teams of any size through platforms like C2C Sports' Design Your Own tool, with full colour, logo, and number customisation.

Kitting Out the Next Generation

C2C Sports has been outfitting teams since 1988, so we know what a squad actually needs heading into a new season not just a good-looking jersey, but one that holds up all year. If your club or rep team is gearing up for the year ahead, our Design Your Own tool lets you build a fully custom basketball uniform in minutes, reversible options and player numbers included, with a 3D preview before you commit to anything. Running behind on time? Our team can turn a last-minute order around fast browse the full basketball uniform range to get started.