20
Aug
Broadcast
NBL and ESPN extend media rights deal
NBL extends rights deal with ESPN, Disney+, bringing every NBL26 game live to fans across Australia.
- Every NBL26 game will stream live on Disney+ via ESPN, with coverage also on Foxtel, Kayo, Fetch, and Sky NZ.
- Network 10 extends free-to-air deal, continuing Sunday broadcasts nationally.
- New “Ignite Cup” tournament and NBL Blitz pre-season event added to the ESPN schedule.
The National Basketball League and ESPN have announced a multi-year extension of their media rights deal in Australia and New Zealand, ensuring every Hungry Jack’s NBL26 game, including finals, will be broadcast live.
As part of the agreement, fans will be able to stream all games live on Disney+ via the ESPN tile, in addition to ESPN’s existing coverage through Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and Sky New Zealand.
Free-to-air coverage will also continue on Sundays through a renewed partnership with Network 10.
NBL Group CEO David Stevenson said: “We are thrilled to extend our distribution agreement with ESPN, and will continue to work closely together to ensure even more people can connect and access live NBL games. Our broadcast audiences have grown by 106% over the past three seasons, and we are confident this new deal will ensure that trend continues.”
The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President and Managing Director, and Head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, said: “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the NBL as principal broadcast partner. ESPN on Disney+ has provided a material boost to the NBL audience, adding millions to our ESPN ecosystem which includes Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch, and Sky in New Zealand.”
The new deal introduces the “Ignite Cup”, an in-season tournament played on Wednesday nights, adding 21 games to the calendar for a total of 166.
The NBL Blitz pre-season tournament will also be available on ESPN on Disney+.
ESPN will maintain weekly news and studio coverage across its social and digital channels, ensuring consistent engagement with fans.
Network 10 will continue to broadcast free-to-air games on Sundays at 2:30pm (AEDT) on Channel 10, and 4:30pm (AEDT) on 10 Drama.
The Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season begins September 18, 2025, with every game available live on ESPN, through Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo, Fetch TV, and Sky New Zealand.