Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) has announced that one million fans have attended games during the 2023-24 season, marking the first time this milestone has been reached since 1996.
The landmark figure has been reached with 41 less games than in 1996. The total was reached during a game between the Tasmania JackJumpers and Illawarra Hawks, with the one millionth fan rewarded with courtside seats by NBL chief executive David Stevenson.
The NBL has also recorded its highest average regular-season attendance this year, with the 7,131 figure marking a 15% uplift on last season. There have been a total of 33 sell-outs during the season, with the JackJumpers selling out every home game for the third consecutive season.
The attendance milestone was reached with the Finals series still to be concluded.
Stevenson said: “The appetite for the NBL is at an all-time high and that is highlighted by our best total attendance in almost 30 years. The fans are the lifeblood of our league, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them. Their unwavering passion and support of the competition, and its teams, is unbelievable and we are forever indebted to their commitment.
“To pass one million fans with most of the Finals series still ahead is an incredible achievement and a sign of the NBL’s standing on the summer sporting scene. It is a credit to our clubs, who do an outstanding job ensuring the in-stadium experience is filled with family friendly entertainment, alongside the world-class basketball on the court.”
Stevenson was named chief executive of the NBL last year, having previously served as the Australian Football League (AFL)’s general manager of operations and chief executive of the Western Bulldogs. He also spent time as vice-president and general manager of emerging markets at Nike.
