Hoops heaven: 20 more games added to NBL26

• The NBL is introducing an In-Season tournament which adds 20 games to the 2025-26 schedule
• NBL Blitz is expected to be played at the end of August, 2025
• New Orleans Pelicans take on South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United on October 3 and 5

Twenty additional games will be incorporated into the NBL draw due to the launch of the In-Season tournament. Additionally, the NBL Blitz is anticipated to commence at the end of August, contributing to one of the most active fixture releases for the 2025-26 season.

The NBL schedule for the 10 teams are expected to be released in the coming weeks, as excitement grows over how the league will structure the schedule around the New Orleans Pelicans exhibition games against the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United on October 3 and 5, 2025. Additionally, the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament will take place between September 18 and 22, 2025, in Melbourne and Sydney.

European giants Panathinaikos BC AKTOR and KK Partizan will take on the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers in the PGT, held for the first time outside of Europe.

The clash between the defending champion Illawarra Hawks and the revamped Sydney Kings promises to be a thriller. The Sydney Kings have made significant roster changes by recruiting former Adelaide 36ers star Kendric Davis and NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova, enhancing their backcourt's strength. They will face a formidable challenge from All-NBA First Team members Trey Kell III and Tyler Harvey. The exact date for this highly anticipated matchup between the Hawks and Kings has yet to be announced.

There is also intrigue around the Perth Wildcats schedule with five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton calling time on his career in Australia and speculation mounting that Perth is talking to Patty Mills, who is out of contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

If Mills does decide to return to Australia, every game he plays will be a must-see for Australian basketball fans.

Stay tuned, basketball.com.au will publish the NBL26 draw as soon as we have it.

These are the 10 teams competing in NBL26

• Adelaide 36ers — Based in Adelaide, South Australia.
• Brisbane Bullets — Based in Brisbane, Queensland.
• Cairns Taipans — Based in Cairns, Queensland.
• Illawarra Hawks — Based in Wollongong, New South Wales.
• Melbourne United — Based in Melbourne, Victoria.
• New Zealand Breakers — Based in Auckland, New Zealand.
• Perth Wildcats — Based in Perth, Western Australia.
• South East Melbourne Phoenix — Based in Melbourne, Victoria.
• Sydney Kings — Based in Sydney, New South Wales.
• Tasmania JackJumpers — Based in Hobart and Launceston, Tasmania.