United to host historic clash with New Orleans Pelicans

Melbourne United are set to make history next season, as we become the first NBL team to face off against an NBA opponent on Australian soil, thanks to the NBA, NBL and Visit Victoria.

The New Orleans Pelicans are set to travel to Melbourne for a pair of preseason games this October, marking the first NBA games in Australia. We will host the Pelicans in Melbourne Park on Friday Oct. 3, before they face the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday Oct. 5, 2025.

In addition to the games, the NBA, the NBL and the Pelicans will conduct NBA Cares community outreach initiatives and lifestyle events leading up to and during the week of the games, including a Fan Night on Saturday Oct. 4.  The NBA and the NBL also plan to expand their grassroots basketball development efforts in Asia-Pacific at the youth and elite levels in the coming years.

The announcement was made today in Melbourne by New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin; NBL Executive Director & Owner Larry Kestelman; Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos; and NBA Asia Head of Strategy Rajah Chaudhry.

The Pelicans currently feature two-time NBA All-Star Zion Williamson, 2022 NBA All-Star Dejounte Murray and 2015-16 Kia NBA Most Improved Player CJ McCollum.  Tickets for the games and surrounding events will go on sale at a later date.  Fans can register their interest and gain access to presale information and more here.

NBA games and programming reach fans in Australia on ESPN and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service available via the NBA App.  Fans in Australia can shop for the latest NBA merchandise at NBAStore.com.au, the official online NBA Store in Australia.  For more information about the NBA, fans in Australia can visit The Sporting News Australia, download the NBA App and follow the NBA on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.  For more on the NBL, fans can visit NBL.com.au.