HoopsFest smashes crowd records

Attendance for the second edition of HoopsFest Perth has reached record highs with a remarkable 25% increase year-on-year.

The event delivered another major milestone for Australian basketball with sell-out crowds at RAC Arena and celebration that brought the sport’s elite athletes and community together over four days in Western Australia.

The festival opened and closed strongly with more than 35,500 people piling through the gates, including a massive sell-out during Friday night’s WNBL/NBL double-header.

NBL Group CEO, David Stevenson, said HoopsFest exceeded expectations and again highlighted the power of bringing the sport together.

“HoopsFest is about more than just the games; it’s about creating a moment for basketball, and what we saw at RAC Arena, out in the community and in the city, was exactly that,” Stevenson said.

“The fact we’ve smashed last year’s record by an incredible 25 per cent, shows significant growth and is a credit to everyone involved.

“The atmosphere, the crowds and growth year-on-year show what’s possible when basketball comes together. We are incredibly grateful to the Western Australian Government, Tourism WA, the City of Perth, RAC Arena, the NBL and WNBL players, and coaches and staff, whose commitment and collaboration continues to make HoopsFest such a standout on the sporting calendar.

“I want to specifically thank the tens of thousands of fans, including those who travelled from outside of Western Australia, for making this event such an amazing experience.”

HoopsFest was further elevated by the presence of NBA Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson, who was present throughout the festival as a global ambassador for the game. During his visit, Iverson embraced Western Australia and visited Rottnest Island, helping showcase the state’s unique lifestyle and tourism appeal.

Iverson’s presence underscored HoopsFest’s international relevance and its ability to attract iconic figures who embody the culture and reach of basketball worldwide. Adding to the international flavour, 15 NBA teams sent scouts and front office representatives to watch the best talent on offer.

HoopsFest also extended its footprint through events and community activities like SneakerLand and the HoopsFest Cup. Held at Warwick Stadium, the HoopsFest Cup gave 220 men’s and women’s players from around Australia the chance to compete for a share of $50k, reinforcing the connection with grassroots and participation.

The free Bounce Nation Fan Zone at Forrest Place transformed the city centre into a vibrant basketball hub for fans and featured a wide range of activations, NBL and WNBL player meet-and-greets, dance battles and entertainment for people of all ages. Together with Special Olympics basketball and other fan-first experiences, HoopsFest again celebrated basketball culture at every level.

HoopsFest was delivered with the support of the Western Australian Government and Tourism WA, reinforcing Western Australia’s reputation as a leading host of major sporting events, and a destination capable of delivering experiences with national impact.