Your team's biggest game of NBL27

The Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season looms as the biggest in the League’s history, following the record-breaking 2025-26 campaign.

In total, there will be 165 games played across 21 exciting rounds, with each of the 10 teams hitting the hardwood on 33 occasions.

While each of those games on the schedule, which was unveiled on Friday by the NBL, holds equal weight, we all know certain fixtures mean more than others.

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With the season fast approaching, NBL Media is outlining which of each club’s matches will be the biggest during the regular season.

36ers chase Championship revenge

Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers on Sunday, October 11 at Qudos Bank Arena (3pm AEDT)

The Adelaide 36ers have numerous massive fixtures early in their 2025-26 schedule, including the League’s season-opener against Melbourne at John Cain Arena and an early return to RAC Arena for former Wildcats Bryce Cotton and Trevor Gleeson.

But the game the Sixers surely have circled is their return to Qudos Bank Arena to play the Sydney Kings on Sunday, October 11.

The 36ers were just seconds away from winning their fifth NBL title during last season’s Championship Series decider against the Kings, but Sydney held their nerve in overtime and won Game 5 113-101.

That defeat no doubt still hurts the returning 36ers core, including Cotton, Zylan Cheatham, Flynn Cameron, Isaac Humphries, Nick Rakocevic and Isaac White, with them keen to exact revenge the best way they know how.

This game looms as a must-watch for all hoops fans.

Weaver returns to make statement in Harbour City

Sydney Kings vs Brisbane Bullets on Wednesday, September 30 at Qudos Bank Arena (7.30pm AEST)

A new era is dawning at the Brisbane Bullets, and the man behind it all is Will Weaver.

The American was recently appointed as Brisbane’s new President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach, as the Bullets aim to qualify for their first post-season since 2018-19.

Weaver, who has plenty of international experience, has a strong track record in the League, guiding the Kings to the Championship Series in his lone NBL campaign (2019-20).

As such, Weaver and his squad will be keen to make an early statement against his former team when they travel to Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday, September 30, for an Ignite Cup clash.

This will mark Weaver’s first game back at that venue since he left Sydney for the NBA and will provide a good litmus test about where the Bullets are at.

Taipans to unleash NYE fireworks

Cairns Taipans vs New Zealand Breakers on Thursday, December 31 at Cairns Convention Centre (5.3pm AEDT)

The Taipans’ New Year’s Eve clash is always one of the club’s biggest home games and has become a hallmark of their schedule.

This season will be no different when the Snakes host the New Zealand Breakers at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Not only will there be fireworks off the court to bring in the New Year, but there will also be plenty on the court with the firepower on display from both sides.

From Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith dominating from downtown for the hosts to Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Sam Mennega electrifying the hardwood for the Breakers, this is a fixture that all fans will want to watch.

Hawks to play Grinch at Qudos Bank Arena

Sydney Kings vs Illawarra Hawks on Friday, December 25 at Qudos Bank Arena (TBC)

Anytime Illawarra and Sydney step onto the court to face off against each other, the all-NSW rivalry continues to grow.

Over the years, the Adrian Hurley Cup rivals have faced off on 124 occasions, with the Kings leading 67-57 all-time.

Of that record, the Kings won all four meetings in NBL26, including the pair’s annual Christmas clash.

With all the Australian sporting eyes on this clash, the Hawks will be keen to defeat their fierce rivals on their home court and re-establish who the number one NSW team is.

Ingles makes NBL return in season-opening blockbuster

Melbourne United vs Adelaide 36ers on Saturday, September 19 at John Cain Arena (7.30pm AEST)

Melbourne United will start both the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season and their own campaign with a bang, with the official season-opener at John Cain Arena.

It gives United a huge opportunity to start their new era in winning fashion and make a statement against last season’s runners-up, Adelaide.

Tied into this blockbuster is the fact that Australian hoops icon Joe Ingles will be making his United debut, while also marking his first game back in the NBL since 2009.

Former Kings prepare to light up former side

Sydney Kings vs New Zealand Breakers on Sunday, November 15 at Qudos Bank Arena (3pm AEDT)

The New Zealand Breakers have plenty of fixtures of note as they embark on this new era under world-renowned coach Gordon Herbert, including their home opener against Illawarra on Sunday, September 20.

But the game that looms largest is the Breakers’ only trip to Sydney on Sunday, November 15.

New Zealand has not one but two former Kings (both of whom won two championships with the club) who can heat up from downtown in a hurry.

The first is former Sixth Man Kouat Noi, with the second being former Sixer Dejan Vasiljevic, who both joined the Breakers this off-season.

No doubt both would like nothing more than a big game against their former club at Qudos Bank Arena, a home court they used to call their own.

Dynamic duo return to Perth

Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers on Thursday, September 24 at RAC Arena (9.30pm AEST)

Perth fans won’t have to wait long for the marquee matchup between their Wildcats and the Adelaide 36ers, led by former favourites of the Red Army, Trevor Gleeson and Bryce Cotton.

Both are part of the Wildcats’ rich history and are large parts of why the club is where it is today.

Last season’s return of Cotton to RAC Arena delivered in a big way, with the 36ers storming back to win, and there’s a sense that five-time champion Gleeson’s first game back in Perth will be just as dramatic against the likes of Kristian Doolittle, Dylan Winder and co.

Phoenix aim to set standard in Throwdown 33

South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Melbourne United on Thursday, September 24 at John Cain Arena (7.30pm AEST)

Last season, the Phoenix made strides in establishing themselves as the number one team in Melbourne by progressing to the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Playoffs.

They’ll be looking to continue that in the fast-approaching 2026-27 campaign during the four Throwdowns.

The first of those happens in Round 2, which is part of the League’s Opening Week celebration, where 13 games will be played across the first nine days of the season.

On this occasion, South East Melbourne will host crosstown rivals United at John Cain Arena on Thursday, September 24.

Kings to raise sixth NBL championship banner

Sydney Kings vs Cairns Taipans on Sunday, September 20 at Qudos Bank Arena (5pm AEST)

A game not to be missed on the Sydney Kings’ Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season calendar is their banner night, where they’ll celebrate their club’s sixth championship.

Prior to the season-opening game with the Cairns Taipans, who defeated Sydney in their pair’s corresponding fixture last season, the Kings’ players and coaches will receive their championship rings and watch the 2025-26 banner raised to the roof at Qudos Bank Arena.

As well as that, it will give Kings fans their first look at their revamped team as they begin their title defence.

Local boy makes home debut for JackJumpers

Tasmania JackJumpers vs South East Melbourne Phoenix on Monday, September 21 at MyState Bank Arena (7.30pm AEST)

His signing back in Tasmania sent shockwaves around the NBL, and now his first game back in his home state is one no JackJumpers fans will want to miss.

Of course, we’re talking about Tasmania junior Taran Armstrong, who returns to the NBL after a stint playing overseas in the NBA G League and EuroLeague (with Dubai Basketball).

The Australian Boomers guard will quickly become a fan favourite of the Ant Army and looms as a big piece as Scott Roth’s side aims to return to the NBL summit.

The full schedule, including game times, venues and broadcast details, is available now via the NBL App.

Fans are encouraged to sync their favourite team’s schedule and stay across NBL channels for ticket information and further announcements as the countdown to September begins.

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