Updated HBF Stadium ready to welcome back NBL

The HBF Stadium at Mt Claremont is ready to welcome back NBL action for the first time in 12 years following a $1.6 million upgrade by VenuesWest.

The venue served as the home of the Perth Wildcats when they departed the old Perth Entertainment Centre and last hosted a NBL match in April 2012, for game two of the Grand Final series between Perth and New Zealand.

While RAC Arena has staged Perth Wildcats home games since it opened in 2012, their former home will be utilised during ‘HoopsFest’ - the opening round of the 2024/25 NBL season in which all games will be played in the Western Australian capital.

The Western Australian Government’s investment in the upgrades has brought the venue up to Level 1 FIBA certification and subsequently making it suitable for NBL, WNBL, NBL1, and international basketball games, as well as giving the venue the ability to host high-performance netball, volleyball and badminton events.

The Perth Lynx will be one of the first organisations to benefit from these upgrades, playing three games at the 4,000-capacity venue in the upcoming 2024/25 WNBL season.

A brand-new timber court designed to withstand varying climate conditions is at the centre of the upgrades, as well as enhanced LED lighting from 500 lux to 2000 lux, new basketball hoops and backboards, and hoists to allow a large scoreboard, which will be installed in time for HoopsFest.

Over four days from 19th to 22nd September, HoopsFest will see five NBL, eight WNBL, and more than 140 U18 Australian Club Championship games played across Perth, at RAC Arena, HBF Stadium, Bendat Basketball Centre and HBF Arena at Joondalup.

HBF Stadium will also host a double-header on Saturday 21st September, featuring NZ Breakers v Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans v Illawarra Hawks.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister, David Templeman commented “seeing the brand new court at HBF Stadium, ready for both HoopsFest and to host the Perth Lynx this upcoming WNBL season, only adds to the anticipation of the next few weeks and months.

“The Perth Wildcats have a proud history and 10 seasons of their 31-year play-off streak were played at this venue, so I'm sure many will jump at the chance to see NBL basketball make its return here.

“With the Lynx set to play three games here, alongside the NBL action during HoopsFest, we're truly showcasing Perth's world-class sports infrastructure.”

HoopsFest begins on 19th September when Melbourne and Tasmania clash at RAC Arena.