National Basketball League is poised to secure an enhanced free-to-air (FTA) broadcast agreement for the 2026-27 season, following a record-breaking campaign across attendance, viewership and digital engagement.
Multiple broadcasters are understood to be in discussions with the league, with the next rights cycle expected to deliver increased exposure and improved commercial terms after strong year-on-year growth.
Audience surge drives rights value
The league’s momentum has been underpinned by significant gains across both linear and streaming platforms.
Viewership on ESPN rose 21% season-on-season, marking a second consecutive year of 20%+ growth, while Network Ten recorded an 18% increase in free-to-air audiences.
The Championship Series proved a standout driver. Game Five between Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers drew a combined audience of approximately 900,000 — up 76% on ESPN and 62% on FTA compared to the previous season.
The decider also became the most-watched NBL game in Network Ten history, reaching 559,000 viewers on free-to-air alone.
Hybrid model continues to evolve
Under the current structure, ESPN holds primary rights via a multi-year agreement, broadcasting every game live alongside shoulder programming and additional competitions such as the Ignite Cup and pre-season Blitz.
Network Ten, meanwhile, aired two live Sunday fixtures during the 2025-26 season under a short-term renewal, providing a free-to-air window that has proven instrumental in expanding reach.
The next deal is expected to build on this hybrid model, balancing subscription revenue with mass-market visibility.
Attendance and engagement hit new highs
Off the court, the NBL has also delivered record-breaking in-venue and digital performance.
- Total attendance: 1.23 million (record, second straight year)
- Sell-out games: 63 (up from 55)
- Championship Series attendance: 70,269
Digital growth has also accelerated, with the league approaching two million social media followers and reporting that more than 70% of recent Instagram and YouTube views originate from international audiences.
‘Golden era’ narrative strengthens
David Stevenson described the current trajectory as a “golden era†for basketball in Australia and New Zealand, pointing to the Championship Series as a defining moment for the league’s commercial evolution.
With rising audiences, expanding global reach and increasing broadcaster interest, the NBL is now entering a critical negotiation window that could reshape its media rights landscape for the next cycle.