Basketball Australia is pleased to announce that the Foot Locker Under-16 National Championships will continue to call Red Energy Arena home for a further two years, extending the successful partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo through to 2027.
The event — one of Australia’s key high-performance pathway tournaments — is set to deliver more than $4 million in economic benefit to the region, attracting over 3,000 visitors and generating 28,000 visitor nights across the week-long competition.
Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Matt Scriven said the renewal highlights the strong collaboration between partners and the importance of the Championships within Australia’s national basketball pathway.
“Our partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo and Victorian Government in recent years has seen the Championships go from strength to strength, attracting more athletes, supporters and opportunities for young players each year.
“It’s a great example of what can be achieved when local communities and sport work together, with the event continuing to deliver enormous benefits for regional areas while giving our most promising young athletes the chance to compete in an elite environment.
“These athletes are the future of our sport, and extending this partnership allows us to continue providing opportunities for them to grow, develop and succeed.”
Following the success of its Bendigo clinic earlier this year, She Hoops — the women and girls basketball initiative led by Australian Opals greats Lauren Jackson AO OLY and Tess Madgen — will return alongside the National Championships.
“There’s something really special about the way Bendigo embraces basketball,” Madgen said.
“She Hoops is all about connection, confidence, and showing women and girls that there’s a place for them in basketball at every level. Running a She Hoops clinic in conjunction with the National Championships this year was an incredible experience. It sold out within 48 hours, which really speaks to the passion and enthusiasm within the community.
“We can’t wait to build on that success and look at running an even bigger event when we return to Bendigo, as She Hoops continues to grow and inspire more women and girls across Australia.”
The Championships will feature the best under-16 boys’ and girls’ teams from every state and territory across Australia, providing a vital opportunity for athletes, coaches, and officials to develop within the national high-performance pathway.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the extended partnership with Basketball Australia was a testament to the ongoing commitment Bendigo has made to the local and national basketball community.
“The City is delighted to secure the Under-16 National Championships over the next two years, building on our region’s rich basketball legacy and passion for the sport,” she said.
“We’ll be welcoming more than 3,000 players, families, and officials from across the country at our outstanding facilities at Red Energy Arena during the championships in 2026 and 2027.
“These exciting competitions will also be a great opportunity for national competitors to make the most of their stay in Greater Bendigo.”
Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said he is excited to see these national championships secured for regional Victoria thanks to our Significant Sporting Events Program. “Events like this drive the local economy and showcase everything regional Victoria has to offer – a love of sport, breathtaking natural beauty and unbeatable hospitality.”
Basketball Australia acknowledges the ongoing support of the City of Greater Bendigo and the Victorian Government, whose investment continues to drive participation, tourism and community connection through events such as the Foot Locker Under-16 National Championships. We’re also thankful to the team at Bendigo Basketball and Red Energy Arena for all of their hard work behind the scenes in bringing this event to life each year.
