20
Oct
Opening Round
Record crowds highlight WNBL Opening Round
A general view as Indiah Bowyer of the Southside Melbourne Flyers controls the ball during the round one WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Canberra Capitals at John Cain Arena, on October 18, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images.
WNBL Round One sets new attendance and viewership records to open the 2025–26 season.
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Women’s basketball in Australia has continued its growth trend, with the WNBL recording its strongest-ever attendance for an opening round.
A revamped WNBL say Round One attendance increased by 51 percent compared to last year, marking the biggest opening weekend in league history. Every home team exceeded both their 2024–25 Round One figures and their previous season averages, as larger crowds attended games across the country.
The season began on Saturday at John Cain Arena, where the Southside Flyers hosted the Canberra Capitals. The game drew a crowd nearly three times larger than last year’s average. Olympians and WNBA champions Cayla George (Flyers) and Jade Melbourne (Capitals) were among the headline players, with Canberra recording a strong win to start their campaign.
Former Opal Lauren Jackson AO OLY attended the opener and said the league’s momentum was clear.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this moment, for the WNBL to truly take off. What we’ve seen this opening weekend is the start of a new era for women’s basketball in Australia. Record crowds, incredible talent, and a level of excitement that shows just how far the league has come in a short amount of time and the potential around where it’s headed.”
Viewership also rose across broadcast and digital platforms. Early data indicated higher audiences on 9Go, 9Now and ESPN on Disney+, while WNBL digital engagement increased by more than 300 percent. App installations rose 483 percent, and website traffic grew by 617 percent during the opening weekend.
League partners for the revamped league include AAMI, Bunnings, Blackmores, Hungry Jack’s, Ford, Latina Fresh and Minor Hotels, with commercial revenue projected to triple compared to the previous season, with additional announcements expected.
WNBL CEO Jennie Sager said the response reflected a growing interest in women’s basketball.
“The crowds were loud, the basketball was elite, and the fans, especially kids, were completely immersed in the moment. Our players could feel that passion from every corner of the country and it’s incredible to see Australians embracing women’s basketball like never before.”
