The National Basketball League (NBL) Group, encapsulating the WNBL and NBL, is proud to announce NBA legend and Hall of Famer, Allen “The Answer” Iverson, will be heading down under as a special guest at HoopsFest Perth this summer.
Iverson is an 11-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA scoring champion, an inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2016), and was the NBA’s MVP in 2001.
Regarded as one of the most influential players in the history of the NBA, Iverson will add to the excitement and global prestige of HoopsFest, returning to Perth from January 15 to 18, 2026.
The four-day festival will feature full rounds of the Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL) and the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) competitions during round 17 of the regular NBL and round 14 of the WNBL seasons.
A member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Iverson’s career was defined by his fierce competitiveness, dynamic style of play, and lasting influence on basketball culture around the world, making him a perfect ambassador for HoopsFest Perth, the biggest celebration of basketball, culture and lifestyle in Australasia, expected to attract thousands of interstate visitors to Western Australia.
Allen Iverson said: “Basketball has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and it’s powerful to see how the game continues to bring people together.
“Australia has become a big part of basketball’s global growth, with world-class talent, a thriving NBL, and the WNBL entering an exciting new era.
“Events like HoopsFest show just how strong the future of the game is, not just here, but everywhere, and I’m looking forward to being part of that energy in Perth Western Australia and explore the city of Perth.”
NBL Chief Event and Project Officer, Alex Hamilton said: “We are thrilled to be bringing HoopsFest back to Perth for a second consecutive year, building on the incredible success of the event.
“Having a global icon like Allen Iverson join us only adds to the excitement. We are immensely grateful to the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA, for their support in making HoopsFest 2026 possible, and we can’t wait to showcase Perth once again as the home of this world-class festival that celebrates basketball and its culture.”
Western Australian Tourism Minister, the Hon. Reece Whitby MLA said: “Western Australia is ready to host HoopsFest Perth early next year, and we’re thrilled NBA legend Allen Iverson has answered the call to visit our wonderful State for this exciting event.
“HoopsFest not only gives us the opportunity to showcase our world-class sporting facilities to the rest of the world, but also spotlights Western Australia as an incredible tourism destination and a premium host of major events.
“January is the perfect time to visit Perth, offering sunshine, wineries in the Swan Valley, a lively atmosphere in Fremantle, and the iconic Rottnest Island. Major events like HoopsFest are part of our Government’s economic diversification strategy by attracting out-of-state visitors to generate valuable tourism dollars for local businesses and jobs for the State. We look forward to hosting what promises to again be an unforgettable event.”
Perth’s iconic RAC Arena, along with other elite basketball venues across the city, will host all the on-court action.
The festival will also debut the HoopsFest Cup in 2026, an event that brings together teams from around Australia for a national tournament, giving open-aged players the chance to compete for $50,000 in prize money.
Basketball fans can look forward to the return of supporting events such as Sneakerland, Australia’s largest sneaker culture festival, plus the return of the free HoopsFest Fan Festival, celebrating all things basketball and its culture, including music, entertainment, fashion and more.
Tickets and further information are available at Hoopsfest.com.au. Basketball fans can also stay connected to all the exciting event announcements by downloading the brand new NBL App.
