Clubs hoping prayers will be answered in 'Radelaide'

• Adelaide hosts the NBL1 National Finals for the first time.
• All 12 clubs are confirmed and the opening night draw is set.
• Canberra and Knox return as defending national champions.

Adelaide – The City of Churches – will be the centre of the NBL1 universe in 2026, hosting the league's national championships between August 21 and 23.

"NBL1 is where community basketball meets the professional game," NBL1 General Manager Tyrone Thwaites said.

"Our clubs are built on incredibly passionate basketball communities, and we're looking forward to seeing those communities travel from around the country to support their teams in Adelaide.

"Bringing the champions from every conference together alongside our reigning national champions creates a unique atmosphere, and Adelaide's rich basketball history makes it the ideal place to host this year's event."

basketball.com.au's Bec Cole (It's a Cole World) and podcast partners Jacinta Govind, Jake Burfitt and Christopher Caldicott are part of the commentary teams.

Those passionate basketball communities will descend on Adelaide for the first time when the Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 National Finals are held at the State Basketball Centre this weekend.

The three-day showcase will crown Australia's national champions, with six men's teams and six women's teams battling for the biggest prize in Australian semi-professional basketball.

"The National Finals represent everything that makes NBL1 special, and we're excited to bring the event to Adelaide for the first time," Thwaites said.

"You won't find another competition in Australian sport where current and former NBL and WNBL players, international talent, emerging stars and local community heroes all come together on the one stage."

The men's field is six clubs: Central champion Forestville Eagles, North champion Gold Coast Rollers, South champion Frankston Blues, West champion Rockingham Flames, East champion Norths Bears, and the Canberra Gunners, who return to defend the men's title.

The women's field is also six, but from five clubs. The Knox Raiders qualified twice, as 2026 NBL1 South champion and as reigning national champion, and the sixth place went to the Waverley Falcons, the side Knox beat in the South grand final.

They are joined by Central champion Sturt Sabres, North champion Mackay Meteorettes, West champion Warwick Senators and East champion Bankstown Bruins. Every team plays on the Friday, with both National Finals on the Sunday.

NBL1 has become one of Australia's premier player development pathways, with emerging talent using the competition as a stepping stone to the NBL, WNBL, NCAA and professional leagues around the world. At the same time, current and former professionals return to represent their local clubs, creating a unique blend of elite talent and community connection.

Basketball South Australia Chief Executive Officer Ben MacCormack said hosting the National Finals was another milestone for the state's rich basketball history.

"Basketball has a special place in South Australia's sporting story, and we're proud to welcome the NBL1 National Finals to Adelaide for the first time," MacCormack said.

"Given the state's rich basketball heritage, it's fitting that the champions of every corner of the country will come together here to write the next chapter in the NBL1 story.

"We can't wait to showcase South Australia's love of basketball and provide a memorable experience for everyone who travels to Adelaide to be part of this celebration of the game."

The State Basketball Centre will host three days of finals action featuring the nation's best clubs, elite pathways prospects, NBL and WNBL talent, and thousands of travelling supporters from every conference as Adelaide becomes the centre of Australian basketball.