For the first time in history. The NBA will hold exhibition games in Australia

Australian basketball fans around the world have finally seen their dream come true— the NBA is planning to hold a series of games in Australia in collaboration with the NBL.

Details: Since the launch of the NBLxNBA preseason games in the U.S. in 2017, this will be the first time the world's leading basketball league sends a team to Australia for exhibition games. These matchups are set to take place in Melbourne at the end of this year.

According to ESPN, the NBA team will face an as-yet-undetermined NBL lineup. The possible opponents include one of the two Melbourne-based teams or a specially assembled squad in the format of an NBL All-Star Game.

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With basketball's growing popularity in Australia, the NBA has decided to stage two exhibition games in the country ahead of the 2025/26 season. Several states competed for the right to host this major event, but Victoria ultimately won. The games will be held in Melbourne.

Reminder: These exhibition matches will be the first in what could become a regular series, strengthening the connection between Australian and American basketball. This is particularly significant, as the NBA currently features a record number of Australian players.

It is worth noting that another major North American league—the NHL—has long been hosting both official and friendly outdoor games. Such events tend to attract audiences three to four times larger than those in indoor arenas.