Ratings records & big crowds: NBL27 opens with a bang

The Hungry Jack's NBL remains the fastest-growing sports league in Australia, after opening its season in record-breaking fashion yet again.

Free-to-air audiences are up 96% and 104,229 fans have already streamed through the gates, up 14%. The standout was Sydney's home opener and Championship banner-raising ceremony against Cairns, which saw 13,632 fans flock to Afterpay Arena - the biggest crowd of the season so far. Last year the Kings broke the all-time record with 18,373 fans attending Game 5 of the Championship Series.

NBL Group CEO David Stevenson said the early results were a sign of what’s to come, and a testament to everyone who has helped build the League's momentum.

"To see our free-to-air audience grow so profoundly on the back of three straight seasons of strong growth says everything about the direction we’re heading,” he said.

“We've never had this much excitement, energy and enthusiasm at the start of a season and it’s clearly being felt in lounge rooms, inside arenas and on all the various digital platforms as we see unprecedented levels of online engagement and activity.

“None of this happens without our clubs, players and our broadcast and commercial partners putting on a great show. A special thank you to Channel Nine, who have been outstanding partners in bringing our game to more fans than ever. And of course, the superb start doesn't happen without the fans who keep coming back in bigger numbers each year.”

Stevenson said the results capped off an incredible opening week that delivered even more highlights, more amazing debuts and more statement wins.

“When you consider the superstars who are demanding the spotlight this year and the drama that’s unfolding, it’s easy to see why so many people are diving into the NBL,” he said.

"With Bryce Cotton in Adelaide, Kendric Davis in Sydney, Cole Anthony in Melbourne, Nathan Sobey at South East Melbourne, Taran Armstrong in Tasmania, Brandon Knight heading to Perth, Jack McVeigh in Cairns, Parker Jackson-Cartwright in New Zealand, Arnas Velička in Brisbane and Tyler Harvey in Illawarra, it’s no wonder this is already shaping as one of the most star-studded seasons we’ve ever had."

While the regular season has begun, the Ignite Cup, presented by 7-Eleven, is about to fire with a double-header set to begin the in-season tournament tonight.

"There’s never been more motivation for our teams to compete hard in the Ignite Cup with prize money increasing from $400,000 to $550,000 - the most we’ve ever offered,” Stevenson added.

Inaugural Ignite Cup champions, the BNZ Breakers host the Cairns Taipans at 5:30pm AEST, followed by the unbeaten Sydney Kings against a red-hot Brisbane Bullets from 7:30pm AEST on ESPN.