Record finals crowds cap-off groundbreaking season

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The WNBL has capped-off a groundbreaking first year under new ownership with record finals crowds with attendance rising 34% from the previous season.

An average of 2800 fans attended the seven games across the WNBL finals series, marking a significant milestone almost a year since the Wollemi Capital Group Syndicate (WCGS) and the National Basketball League (NBL) consortium took over ownership of Australia's longest running women's professional league from Basketball Australia.

Furthermore, the successful season - which saw the Townsville Fire claim their fifth championship - ended in perfect fashion with a sold-out crowd at the Perth High Performance Centre witnessing one of the best grand final games in the league's history as Shannon Seebohm's side won a nail-biting overtime thriller over the Lynx.

It was a game which saw 41 lead changes throughout the 45 minutes of action.

WNBL CEO Jennie Sager said the growth in attendance demonstrates the league’s powerful trajectory and the connection the competition is building with fans nationwide.

“The interest in the WNBL is at an all-time high, with more people turning out to watch our game than ever before,” she said.

“Throughout the WNBL26 Finals Series we saw packed venues, an electric atmosphere and fans deeply invested in our athletes and clubs. It was a true celebration of everything that is great about women’s basketball.

“This growth is about more than one finals series. It’s about building a strong and sustainable foundation for the WNBL to continue to thrive. With one in five young girls now playing basketball nationally, the visibility of this league and the pathways available to those young athletes matters more than ever before.”  

WNBL26 saw several significant milestones, including from individual star players as talents such as Perth's Alex Wilson, Bendigo duo Kelsey Griffin and Marianna Tolo reaching life membership with 250 games, while Sara Blicavs celebrated 300 games in the league before signing in China.

One of the league's rising stars in Opals guard Isobel Borlase also won the league's MVP award while a legend of Australian basketball in Cayla George became the first player to feature in the top 10 of every major statistical category.

The league is also set to build on the momentum of WNBL26 with a ninth team, in the Tasmania Jewels, entering the league with former Fire championship coach Claudia Brassard to lead the expansion club.