What’s Happening?
Elite women’s basketball will return to North Queensland this September for the second Townsville Tip Off.
The Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) pre-season tournament will run from 17 to 20 September 2026 at Townsville Stadium. The venue sits within the Murray Sporting Complex.
The event opens during the first weekend of Queensland’s school holidays. Children will receive free entry across the tournament.
Townsville Fire and Perth Lynx will open the program with a rematch of last season’s grand final. It will also mark the Fire’s first home appearance since winning the championship.
Supporters will see players returning from the FIBA World Cup before the new WNBL season begins. Tasmania Jewels will also make their first Townsville Tip Off appearance as the league’s newest club.
The Queensland Government Office for Sport and Recreation supports the tournament alongside Tourism and Events Queensland. Townsville Enterprise and Townsville City Council are also backing the event.
Why It Matters
The Townsville Tip Off brings Australia’s leading women’s basketball clubs together before the regular season.
It also gives local supporters an early chance to see new rosters and returning international players. For Fire fans, the tournament carries added meaning after last season’s championship victory.
Local Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said the event would strengthen the city’s sporting reputation and support local businesses.
“We are excited to welcome the WNBL and the Tip Off back to Townsville, and competitions like this continue cement our reputation as the events capital of the North,” Mr Baillie said.
“Bringing the nation’s best women’s basketball to Townsville will back local businesses, attract visitors and give the community a chance to experience elite sport up close while inspiring the next generation.”
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme said the tournament was becoming an important part of the national basketball calendar.
“The Townsville Tip Off is fast becoming a highlight on the WNBL calendar, and we’re thrilled to bring it back to North Queensland for a second year,” she said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the strength of our league, give fans an early look at their teams, and celebrate the incredible talent returning from the world stage.”
Local Impact
The tournament is expected to bring supporters and visitors into Townsville during the Queensland school holidays.
That timing may support local accommodation, hospitality and retail operators across the four-day event. Free children’s entry could also make the tournament more accessible for North Queensland families.
Townsville City Deputy Mayor Suzy Batkovic said the benefits would extend beyond the basketball court.
“Events like the Townsville Tip Off are about more than basketball,” Deputy Mayor Cr Batkovic said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to activate our city, attract visitors and showcase Townsville to a national audience.
“As home to the league’s best, The Townsville Fire, we love our basketball and hosting the Townsville Tip Off once again is a real coup for our city and a chance to inspire the next generation.”
By the Numbers
- Nine clubs will compete, bringing every WNBL team together before the regular season begins.
- Ten WNBL games are scheduled, beginning with the grand final rematch on Thursday night.
- Three school basketball sessions are included, with one showcase and two School All Stars games planned.
Zoom In
Townsville Fire will begin the tournament against Perth Lynx at 7 pm on Thursday, 17 September.
The opening game will be held under the Fire Up Once theme. It gives local fans an immediate rematch of last season’s championship series.
Friday’s Business and Networking Night will feature two matches. Adelaide Lightning will face Tasmania Jewels before Southside Flyers meet Perth Lynx.
Saturday’s Townsville’s Got Talent program combines three league games with a school showcase. Sunday will close the tournament with four games and two School All Stars sessions.
The Fire will return for the final match against Sydney Flames at 7 pm on Sunday, 20 September.
Full Schedule
Thursday, 17 September
Fire Up Once, Grand Final Rematch
- 7 pm, Townsville Fire versus Perth Lynx
Friday, 18 September
Business and Networking Night
- 6 pm, Adelaide Lightning versus Tasmania Jewels
- 8 pm, Southside Flyers versus Perth Lynx
Saturday, 19 September
Townsville’s Got Talent
- 12 pm, Canberra Capitals versus Geelong Venom
- 1.45 pm, School showcase
- 4 pm, Sydney Flames versus Tasmania Jewels
- 6 pm, Adelaide Lightning versus Bendigo Spirit
Sunday, 20 September
Fire Up Twice, School All Stars and Fire versus Flames
- 10.45 am, School All Stars
- 1 pm, Canberra Capitals versus Southside Flyers
- 2.45 pm, School All Stars
- 5 pm, Geelong Venom versus Bendigo Spirit
- 7 pm, Townsville Fire versus Sydney Flames
Zoom Out
The WNBL is expanding its national presence while strengthening links with Queensland communities and organisations.
Townsville’s tournament will combine elite competition with community events across several themed sessions. These include Business and Networking Night, Townsville’s Got Talent and Fire Up.
WNBL Chief Strategy and Basketball Partnerships Officer Lauren Jackson expects the second event to build on last year.
“We are incredibly excited to be coming back to Townsville. The fans in Townsville are some of the very best and we can’t wait to bring all nine teams back to this wonderful city and put on a great show.
“We have been laser focused on growing this pre-season tournament from a fan experience, community engagement and high-performance perspective – thanks to the support of our partners, we are in a strong position to establish the Townsville Tip Off as a landmark event for North Queensland,” Jackson said.
NBL Group CEO Dave Stevenson said the tournament would introduce Tasmania Jewels while reconnecting fans with the league’s leading players.
“Welcoming the Tasmania Jewels into the league, and bringing all nine clubs together ahead of the season is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best of women’s basketball and connect fans with the WNBL’s outstanding athletes. We’re thrilled to return to the home of the reigning WNBL Champions, the Townsville Fire, and one of Australia’s great basketball communities.”
“I’d like to extend my thanks to the Queensland Government, Tourism and Events Queensland, Townsville City Council, Townsville Enterprise, our WNBL clubs and players for helping bring this event to life.”
What To Look For Next?
Tickets are now on sale, with free entry available for children throughout the tournament.
The school holiday timing and community sessions may help attract more families than last year. Strong local support could also secure the tournament’s long-term place on Townsville’s annual sporting calendar.
