The 2025/26 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL26) season concluded with a landmark milestone for the competition, marking a significant step forward for elite women’s basketball in Australia.
WNBL26 Finals: Record-Breaking Engagement
The WNBL26 Finals Series saw a 34% increase in total attendance compared to the previous season, reflecting the league’s growing commercial health and its deepening connection with the Australian public. Across the seven fixtures of the post-season, the league recorded an average attendance of over 2,800 fans per game.
Championship Decider: A Historic Thriller
The season culminated in a dramatic Championship Series between the Townsville Fire and the Perth Lynx.
- The Outcome: The Townsville Fire were crowned WNBL26 Champions after a high-intensity, overtime victory in Game 2.
- The Atmosphere: The deciding match took place in front of a sold-out, capacity crowd at the Perth High Performance Centre.
- Tactical Intensity: The game was marked by exceptional competitiveness, featuring 41 lead changes over the course of the match before Townsville secured the trophy.
- Individual Honors: Townsville captain Courtney Woods was named the Championship Series MVP (Rachael Sporn Medal) after a dominant performance in the final.
League Strategic Impact
WNBL CEO Jennie Sager noted that these record results are a testament to the league’s current strategic focus on building fierce rivalries and showcasing the high-performance athleticism of its world-class players. The success of the professional league is also fueling grassroots interest, with data showing that one in five young girls in Australia now participate in basketball.
This season has further solidified the WNBL’s position as a premier sporting competition in Australia, with executives viewing the attendance growth as a validation of the league’s sustainable long-term trajectory.