NBL26 in review: growth on and off the court

The Adelaide 36ers’ NBL26 campaign will be remembered as one of the most significant and successful seasons in the club’s modern era, marked by strong on-court performance, record-breaking engagement, and continued growth across all areas of the organisation.

On the court, the 36ers delivered a finals run that nearly delivered a long awaited NBL Championship for the club’s loyal fan base.

The team contested eight finals games, including three playoff matchups and a five-game Championship Series - the club’s first appearance at that stage in eight years. In a dramatic conclusion, the series went down to the final moments of Game 5 in Sydney, where the 36ers pushed the Kings to overtime before narrowly falling in front of a record NBL crowd of 18,589.

The Championship Series itself set new benchmarks for the league. Total attendance reached 70,269, surpassing the previous record, while the deciding game became the most-watched in NBL history across ESPN and Channel 10 - a testament to the growing national profile of the competition and the club.

Individually, several 36ers were recognised for outstanding performances. Bryce Cotton secured his sixth NBL Most Valuable Player award, further cementing his legacy as one of the league’s all-time greats. Flynn Cameron was named the competition’s Most Improved Player, while Cotton and Zylan Cheatham earned selection in the All-NBL First and Second Teams respectively. Off the court, CEO Nic Barbato was recognised as the NBL’s Executive of the Year, highlighting the strength of the club’s leadership.

The support of the Adelaide community remained a cornerstone of the season. The club achieved 41 consecutive home sell-outs, filling the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for all 20 home games. Membership reached a record 8,619 - a 23% increase on the previous season - while total home attendance climbed to 199,705, averaging 9,985 fans per game.

Broadcast reach for the club also expanded significantly under a new media agreement. Audience numbers for 36ers games grew by 82% on ESPN and 145% on Channel 10, with 16 Sixers’ games aired free-to-air, increasing accessibility for fans nationwide and providing strong commercial ROI for partners.

Commercially, the club continued to strengthen its partnerships maintaining and growing relationships with its long-standing corporate and hospitality network. The Sixers in Business program also expanded its member base 25% year-on-year.

Beyond basketball, the club’s commitment to community impact remained a key focus. Through the Shooting Hoops Foundation, four new programs were launched, addressing health and wellbeing, leadership, cultural inclusion, and development pathways. These initiatives, alongside expanded existing programs, enabled engagement with more than 28,000 participants across 66 schools and community settings, with players contributing over 800 hours of direct involvement.

The NBL26 season showcased not only the Adelaide 36ers’ competitiveness on the court, but also their growing influence as a leading sporting organisation deeply connected to its community.