NBA Official Discusses Interest in Hosting WNBA Game in Australia
An NBA deputy commissioner said there is strong interest in bringing a WNBA game to Australia. The comments follow the success of an NBA preseason series held in Melbourne last year.
The Sydney Morning HeraldNBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum said this week there is "tremendous interest" in staging a WNBA game in Australia. Tatum cited the positive reception to NBA preseason games played in Melbourne last October and noted growing global demand for women's professional basketball.
He added that outreach from Australian organizers has included requests for both NBA and WNBA contests.
The WNBA has seen rising attendance and salary levels in recent seasons. League commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated in April that the first game outside North America could occur from 2027 onward, after the FIBA Women's World Cup in Germany this September. Officials from both leagues have said a visiting WNBA team could help promote domestic women's basketball.
The New Orleans Pelicans played two preseason games against NBL teams at Rod Laver Arena in October. NBL Group chief executive David Stephenson said the events demonstrated fan interest and that discussions with the NBA and WNBA are continuing. Tatum noted the NBA's international schedule for the 2026-2027 season is already set.
He said any future games would require consideration of multiple factors, including venue availability and competing global demand.
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