WNBL preseason basketball tournament to be staged in Townsville

The WNBL has today announced its first ever standalone preseason tournament, the Townsville Tip-Off 25, set to take place in North Queensland from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th September.

For the first time, all eight teams will converge in one city for a preseason WNBL event offering fans the opportunity to see the League’s best talent in action ahead of the 2025/26 season.

More than 200 players, coaches, staff and team officials and up to 6,000 fans are expected to attend the matches and community events.

Announcing the event, Townsville City Council acting Mayor, Ann-Maree Greaney stated "we have a fantastic basketball community here in Townsville. From grassroots juniors making their way through the ranks, to our four-time WNBL champions, the Townsville Fire – so I know the WNBL Tip-Off will be welcomed with open arms.

“As my fellow Councillor and WNBL superstar Suzy Batkovic says 'if you can see it, you can be it' and the WNBL Tip-Off is set to bring more than 200 world-class players and officials to our region over multiple days so there will certainly be plenty to see. I’m really looking forward to our community getting amongst the action.”

WNBL Chief Executive, Jennie Sager said the pre-season tournament offered fans an unmissable opportunity to see the league’s best talent in action, commenting "we are incredibly grateful for the support from the Queensland Government, The Townsville Fire, and Townsville Stadium for bringing the inaugural Townsville Tip-Off to life.

“Townsville has an incredibly passionate community of basketball fans and with the Townsville Fire celebrating their 25th year, there is no better place to showcase women’s basketball.”

Coinciding with the Tournament, She Hoops have revealed a schedule of activity for the community - running from 24th to 27th September 2025.

Over the course of four days, She Hoops will host three Community Clinics in Ayr, Charters Towers and Ingham – followed by a Super Camp and Indigenous Leadership Program (ILP) in Townsville.

Opals champions Lauren Jackson and Tess Madgen will be leading activity on the ground as part of their She Hoops leadership roles and will be joined by Ally Wilson for the first time as Lead of the ILP.

The activity will include Coaches Workshops hosted in between game days.

The WNBL Townsville Tip-Off is supported by the Queensland Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympics Games, Tourism and Events Queensland and Townsville City Council through Townsville Enterprise.

Image: Townsville Indoor Stadium.