Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews MP has today announced that the USA Basketball Men’s National Team will face the Australian Boomers in a two-match pre-FIBA World Cup series in Melbourne, Australia next year.
The matches will be played at Etihad Stadium on Thursday 22 August and Saturday 24 August 2019 as part of both nations’ planned preparations for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, starting 31 August.
“This is the one Australian basketball fans have been waiting for, and there’s no better place to host the USA team than in the sporting capital of the country – Victoria,” said Premier Andrews.
The Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren said: “This blockbuster series is exclusive to Melbourne, Australia and will not only inspire our young athletes to hit the court but attract fans from interstate and overseas – and that’s good news for Victorian jobs, businesses and the economy.”
“We’re proud to back the talent of tomorrow by delivering the courts and pathways our kids need to make it to the big leagues.”
Fans can register their interest in buying tickets to the Boomers v USA matches ahead of the ticket on sale in July.
A limited number of corporate hospitality packages are on sale now. To join the waitlist or purchase corporate hospitality packages go to www.teglive.com.au.
Basketball Australia CEO Anthony Moore said: “This announcement is a landmark moment for Basketball Australia and all those fans of our great game. I believe that this event will be long remembered in Australian sporting history.”
“I am thrilled that Basketball Australia will be hosting the USA Basketball Men’s National Team in Australia for the first time since the 2000 Sydney Olympics and my sincere thanks go to Premier Andrews and Visit Victoria for sharing in our vision.”
“It is a momentous partnership between two leading national federations and shows the level of respect that Australian basketball now commands on the world stage.”
“With these two games occurring just prior to the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, our Boomers and the USA will be at full strength and the quality of basketball that Australian sports fans will witness will be extraordinary.”
“The USA-Australia game at the 2016 Rio Olympics was intense, passionate and a very competitive game that came down to the final minutes. We expect these games in 2019 will again showcase international basketball at its highest level and offer sports fans a very memorable event.”
Visit Victoria CEO Peter Bingeman said “attracting the biggest and best sporting events like the Boomers v USA keeps Victoria ahead of the pack as the nation’s sporting capital. Having the USA Basketball Men’s National Team face off against the Australian Boomers right here is a boon for visitors and Victorian fans.”
“I’m proud of Visit Victoria’s involvement in securing this fantastic event for Melbourne which will bring in sports fans and event lovers from right around Australia and across Asia.”
“There is no question that the Boomers v USA aligns with our strategy to secure the world’s greatest sporting events and complements our already action-packed calendar of sporting and cultural events all year round.”
The Boomers v USA event is promoted by TEG, Australia’s leading major event sports promoter.