Pride Round returns in NBL26

The National Basketball League (NBL) is proud to launch Pride Round in Round 18, continuing the NBL’s focus on inclusion and celebrating diversity within basketball. 

In its fourth season, Pride Round shows meaningful allyship aimed to improve the understanding of the barriers impacting the LGBTQ+ community primarily in sport.

“The NBL is an organisation committed to inclusion, acceptance and support of the LGBTQ+ community. We want everyone to feel welcome when they walk into our venues or engage with our game,” NBL CEO David Stevenson said.

“Pride Round provides a visible moment in the season to recognise the diversity within our community, reinforce the importance of respect and inclusion across basketball, and continue meaningful education around what allyship looks like in action.

“This round is brought to life through the collective commitment of our clubs and players, whose leadership and support are critical in creating inclusive environments on and off the court. We also acknowledge the ongoing guidance of Pride in Sport in helping shape our approach, and we thank everyone across the NBL community who continues to play a role in making Pride Round meaningful across game days.”

Across Pride Round games, clubs will deliver a range of inclusion-focused activations, reflecting their local communities while uniting behind a shared message that everyone belongs in basketball.

These initiatives sit alongside broader, year-round efforts and ongoing work with Pride in Sport. The NBL is incorporated into the Pride in Sport Index and achieved Gold Tier status in 2025 as a top-performing national body for LGBTQ+ inclusion policies and practices. 

“The NBL's Pride Round is an incredible opportunity for basketball in Australia to help unite communities, inspire individuals, and foster a sense of belonging,” Ben Cork (he/him), National Program Manager at Pride in Sport, said.

“LGBTQ inclusion in sport not only enriches the overall experience for everyone involved, but also strengthens our communities and the broader sense of togetherness and acceptance across the country. Holding the NBL Pride Round is a powerful message to Australia that everyone is welcome in sport, fans and athletes alike, no matter who they are.”

Adelaide 36ers centre Isaac Humphries said Pride Round remains a meaningful moment for players and the broader basketball community. 

“The visibility is so important, and that’s how things start to move forward. Pride Round, to be playing in this league, to be so welcomed and accepted is just fantastic.

In our community is this undeniable acceptance of everybody, and learning to stop the judgement, accept people for who they are. It’s what it’s about.”

Perth, New Zealand, South East Melbourne, and Tasmania will celebrate at home games in Round 18, Sydney, Cairns, Adelaide and Illawarra in Round 19, and Melbourne and Brisbane in Round 20.