53,029 fans attended games in round three, breaking the previous figure recorded in 2018. For a round, it was the second highest average attendance (7,576) in NBL history.
Over the first three rounds of the 2019-20 season, a total of 117,709 fans passed through the doors, at an average of 7,357, an 11 per cent increase on the same period last season.
Crowds reached over 100,000 in just 13 games, the fastest time in NBL history.
The South East Melbourne Phoenix v Illawarra Hawks crowd of 10,098 was the biggest for a non-Melbourne United game in Melbourne since 2000. It was also the biggest ever crowd to watch the Illawarra Hawks in Melbourne.
The crowd of 7,494 was the New Zealand Breakers’ highest season opening game in its history.
Larry Kestelman, NBL Owner and Executive Chairman knows why the crowds keep growing.
“The quality of the basketball has been outstanding with 10 of the first 16 games decided by single figures," he said. "Reinforcing our belief that this is the second best league in the world outside of the NBA,"
“The league is highly competitive and any team can win on any given day as the Cairns Taipans showed when they beat reigning champions Perth Wildcats by a record margin in Perth last Friday.
“There is no doubt the NBL Next Stars players like LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton and Didi Louzada are also creating huge interest across the country as is the addition of new team South East Melbourne Phoenix.
“The sell-out crowd of 10,300 for the Throwdown with Melbourne United was the biggest attendance for an opening NBL game in history and this is already shaping as a huge rivalry.
“The Brisbane Bullets and the Adelaide 36ers are also playing in new, improved stadiums to cater for increased demand and presenting excellent game day entertainment for fans.”
Round four of the 2019-20 NBL seasons tips off this Thursday as RJ Hampton and LaMelo Ball go head to head when the New Zealand Breakers play Illawarra Hawks.
Watch the game LIVE on SBS VICELAND and via SBS On Demand from 5.30pm AEDT.
NBL games on SBS for October:
Thursday 24 October
NBL Round 4 - New Zealand v Illawarra
5:30pm AEDT - 7:30pm AEDT
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and via SBS On Demand
Friday 25 October
NBL Round 4 - Adelaide v Cairns
7:30pm AEDT - 9:30pm AEDT
LIVE via SBS On Demand
Friday 25 October
NBL Round 4 - Perth v South East Melbourne
9:30pm AEDT - 11:30pm AEDT
LIVE via SBS On Demand
Saturday 26 October
NBL Round 4 - Melbourne v New Zealand
5:30pm AEDT - 7:30pm AEDT
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and via SBS On Demand
Saturday 26 October
NBL Round 4 - Sydney v Brisbane
8:00pm AEDT - 10:00pm AEDT
LIVE via SBS On Demand
Sunday 27 October
NBL Round 4 - South East Melbourne v Adelaide
3:00pm AEDT - 5:00pm AEDT
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and via SBS On Demand
Sunday 27 October
NBL Round 4 - Illawarra v Perth
5:00pm AEDT - 7:00pm AEDT
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and via SBS On Demand
Monday 28 October
NBL Round 4 - Cairns v Melbourne
7:30pm AEDT - 9:30pm AEDT
LIVE via SBS On Demand
Not enough hoops? Beginning with the 2019-20 NBA season, SBS will broadcast two live, regular season NBA games per week in HD on SBS VICELAND and streamed live via SBS On Demand.
NBA games on SBS for October and November:
SATURDAY OCTOBER 26
Toronto Raptors @ Boston Celtics
1000 – 1230 (tip off 1005)
SUNDAY OCTOBER 27
New Orleans Pelicans @ Houston Rockets
1100 – 1330 (tip off 1105)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
San Antonio Spurs @ Golden State Warriors
1330 – 1600 (tip off 1335)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
New Orleans Pelicans @ Oklahoma City Thunder
0800 – 1030 (tip off 0805)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Miami Heat @ Los Angeles Lakers
1430 – 1700 (tip off 1435)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Boston Celtics @ San Antonio Spurs
0900 - 1130 (tip off 0905)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Lakers
1430 – 1700 (tip off 1435)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers
1100 – 1330 (tip off 1105)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Golden State Warriors @ Utah Jazz
1300 – 1530 (tip off 1305)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Miami Heat @ Philadelphia 76ers
1130 – 1400 (tip off 1135)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
LA Clippers @ San Antonio Spurs
1230 – 1500 (tip off 1235)
