WATCH | @matthewdelly cannot wait to take on @usabasketball when the Boomers host them at @EtihadStadiumAU in @Melbourne in August, 2019!
More information: https://t.co/f1qsNdx1tE #BoomersUSA #GoBoomers #VisitMelbourne pic.twitter.com/jeYVQkbWtr
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) March 18, 2018
The biggest names in world basketball will square off in August 2019 when the Australian Boomers host USA Basketball at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne.
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.
With eight Aussies lighting it up in the US this year, there has never been a better chance for our Boomers to beat the might of the USA Basketball on home soil.
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.”
“I’d like to express our thanks to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Basketball Australia for all their help in making these exciting exhibition games a reality,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO.
“Prior to the basketball world’s attention being focused on the 2019 FIBA World Cup, the USA-Australia exhibitions will be an opportunity for basketball fans worldwide to see two of FIBA’s top teams compete. These games will not only be important in the USA’s World Cup preparations, but they renew a special international basketball rivalry.”
The Boomers v USA event is promoted by TEG, Australia’s leading major event sports promoter. TEG CEO Geoff Jones said confirmation of the two-match series is the culmination of years of strategic planning with Basketball Australia
“TEG is taking a long-term view of basketball’s growth in Australia and has been working with our partners Basketball Australia to lift the international game’s profile in Australia and the brand power of the Boomers,” said Jones.
“The Boomers’ series against the USA Basketball Men’s National Team is a dream come true for Australian basketball and will supercharge our plans for basketball. This is truly a breakthrough moment for the game.”
“I thank the Victorian Government and its events body Visit Victoria for their strategic backing and USA Basketball for making this great event possible.”
Australia and the USA will complete the first round of their FIBA World Cup qualifiers in June this year for the Asian and Americas regions respectively.
However, with 4-0 records, both nations have already qualified for the second round which begins in September and from there, the top seven teams from each region will advance to the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The FIBA World Cup in China (31 August – 15 September 2019) will be the biggest edition of championship with a record 32 participating teams. The event will take place in China for the first time and will be played in eight cities – Beijing, Foshan, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
EVENT | We're still buzzing from yesterday's announcement! The Boomers will take on @usabasketball on their way to the @FIBAWC in August next year at @EtihadStadiumAU in @Melbourne!
Join the event now: https://t.co/xIeygJLGNL #BoomersUSA #GoBoomers #VisitMelbourne pic.twitter.com/JhfLCAh8V9
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) March 18, 2018
Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to the USA’s best battle it out with our local heroes in this important pre- FIBA World Cup series.
This promises to be the biggest sporting event of the year so join the exclusive wait list now!
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.
Australian Boomers v USA Basketball, August 22 & 24 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. #BoomersUSA #VisitMelbourne