The Australian Boomers will make their long-awaited return to Tasmania next month, facing off against New Zealand at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart – their first visit in almost two decades.
The November 28 clash marks the beginning of the Boomers’ campaign for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
“It’s almost 20 years – 2006 – since the Boomers were last in Hobart, but we will return to Tasmania for the first ever FIBA international game,” Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven said.
The Friday night showdown is expected to draw a sell-out crowd of about 5,200 fans.
Tourism Minister Jane Howlett said the match would deliver benefits well beyond the arena.
“We know that the New Zealand team and the Australian Boomers will arrive around a week beforehand,” she said.
“They’ll stay longer. They’ll get out after the game and disperse into regional areas in Tasmania and experience everything that our wonderful state has to offer.”
The state government contributed $75,000 through Events Tasmania to help secure the fixture.
Boomers captain and JackJumpers star Will Magnay said representing Australia at his home venue would be something special.
“I started my JackJumpers journey here five seasons ago,” he said.
“It will be super exciting to be able to represent my country and JackJumpers fans in the same building but just for a different team.”
The week leading up to the game will include community clinics for coaches, referees and young players across the state.
Basketball Tasmania CEO Ben Smith said the event would inspire Tasmania’s fast-growing basketball community.
“We have three Tasmanians recently selected in the Under-17 Oceania Cup squad,” he said.
“We’ve got players coming through our pathway that are aspiring to represent Australia in the future and we think this is a great opportunity for them to see the Australian Boomers up close.”
The Boomers are currently competing in the Asian qualifiers, where 16 teams will battle for seven places at the 2027 World Cup in Doha.
