Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Bumper crowds drive NBL growth

Bumper crowds drive NBL growth
January 20, 2012

The Australian National Basketball League (NBL) is on track to record its third successive year of attendance growth on the back of a string of sell-out crowds at iiNet NBL Championship matches in recent weeks and what will be a season-high crowd tonight (Friday 19th January) at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

The Sydney Kings are guaranteed to record their largest crowd of the season with more than 6,000 tickets pre-sold to see their clash with the Perth Wildcats. Club officials have advised that demand remains strong this morning and are confidently predicting a crowd of between 8,500 and 9,000 when the game tips-off.

A crowd of that magnitude would easily surpass the largest crowd so far this season in the iiNet NBL Championship - 6,900 set by the New Zealand Breakers for their home game against the Kings at Vector Arena in Round Four. The Kings' previous largest crowd this season was 6,165 set in Round 13 against the Adelaide 36ers.

Crowds have generally been on the rise in the iiNet NBL Championship in recent weeks, and last night the Breakers enjoyed their third successive sell-out game at Auckland's North Shore Events Centre as they recorded a 91-77 win over the Melbourne Tigers.

The Breakers are averaging home crowds of 3,975 this season, which is by far the highest in the club's history. Their previous best season attendance average was last season when they won their maiden title, averaging 2,994 people per game (including playoffs).

The Tigers themselves have also been enjoying strong support this season from fans, with the State Netball Hockey Centre (AKA 'The Cage') recording its fifth sell-out crowd of the season last round for Melbourne's clash with Gold Coast. The Tigers have thus far seen their crowds rise by 5% over last season, from an average of 3,145 in 2010/11 to 3,304 in 2011/12.

Three out of the NBL's five matches last round were sell-outs, with New Zealand and Perth joining Melbourne in recording capacity crowds at their venues. There have been 10 sell-out crowds in the NBL since Round 11.

League-wide, attendance is up by approximately one percent this season, from 4,031 in 2010/11 to 4,064 through the end of Round 15. That figure, whilst only a modest increase, is quite likely to rise in coming weeks, with the Kings game tonight set to provide a massive boost.

Last season the NBL recorded a 12% increase in average attendance across the league on top of the 5% increase experienced in the 2009/10 season. The average crowd in the NBL has risen from 3,418 in 2008/09 to 4,064 thus far this season, growth of 16% in the space of just a few years.

The NBL has also experienced growth in other areas of its business as well, with unique visitors to its website up 20% this season and internet traffic overall up 70% since 2009/10. 

11th December 2011 - KRISTINA KENEALLY NAMED BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA CHAIR

26th July 2011 - BREAKERS’ SUCCESS DRIVING KIWI BASKETBALL GROWTH

21st April 2011 - SELL OUT FOR GAME TWO OF NBL GRAND FINAL SERIES

1st June 2009 - BASKETBALL MOVES FORWARD AS TIGERS JOIN COMPETITION

19th September 2008 - BASKETBALL REVIEW UNVEILED

2nd July 2008 - BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA FINALISES REVIEW

28th March 2008 - PARTNERSHIP EXTENDS ‘THE BASKETBALL NETWORK’


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Advanced Aquarium Technologies

Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) is a world leader in the design, construction, and operation of landmark public aquariums. Led from Queensland, AAT has delivered aquarium projects in over 25…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Parks / Zoos

 
 

State Wide Pool Services

Known as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd

read more

Aquatics

 
 

Centaman Entrance Control

Turnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…

read more

Access / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Clubware

Clubware’s online gym software is not your run of the mill management system. It has been carefully designed to incorporate all the elements that a fitness club would need. How did we do that?…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Recreation

 
 

Altitude Training Systems

ATS are global leaders in altitude training and research. From mask systems and inflatable tents to simulated altitude facilities, we help all athletes gain the competitive edge. Our…

read more

Fitness / Sport / Technology

 
 

WATERPLAY Solutions Corp

Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Waterparks

 
 

Fluidra Commercial

  Fluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Sport / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Tim Batt Water Solutions

Tim Batt Water Solutions are at the very forefront of the commercial aquatic business in Australia, with over 30 years specific experience supplying and installing chemical control and dosing…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Recreation / Technology / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business