New Balance University Basketball League (UBL) Enters 5th Season with Exciting Changes

The New Balance University Basketball League (UBL) is set to return for its landmark fifth season in 2025, bringing a new era of university basketball to Australia. With the league now scheduled as a Semester Two event, tipping off in August, student-athletes and basketball fans alike will benefit from a competition structure that no longer clashes with the NBL1, allowing teams to field stronger line-ups.

The 2025 season welcomes University of Newcastle as the newest team to join the league, further expanding the footprint of university basketball and offering more student-athletes the chance to compete at an elite level.

The UBL is a national competition like no other and will feature 122 games over a 12 week season, played at university venues across the country. The UBL plays an important role in Australia’s basketball ecosystem, offering a valuable competition opportunity for university basketballers complementing the NBL1 and various state leagues.

In an effort to continue the league’s growth and expansion, every UBL game will be streamed live and free on UniSportTV, ensuring fans can catch all the action from anywhere in the country. In addition, highlights from every game will be available on YouTube, giving supporters access to the best moments of action from each game.

Universities are increasingly integrating Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities into the UBL season, recognising the benefits of hands-on experience in fields such as communications and marketing, film studies, sports management, and sports medicine (including physiotherapy and chiropractic care). Through these initiatives, students gain invaluable industry-relevant skills while working on a national sporting competition. Several students who have participated in WIL programs within the UBL have since secured full-time employment, highlighting the significant career pathways these opportunities create.

“We’re thrilled to see the UBL continue to grow and solidify itself as a key part of the Australian basketball landscape,” said Mark Sinderberry, UniSport CEO. “With the competition now set in Semester Two, and the introduction of University of Newcastle, 2025 is shaping up to be an action packed season.”

As the countdown to tip-off begins, basketball fans, students, and university communities can expect an action-packed season showcasing the best emerging basketball talent Australia has to offer.

For more information and updates, visit www.unisport.com.au/university-basketball-league or follow us on social media.

About the UBL: The New Balance University Basketball League (UBL) is Australia’s premier university basketball competition, providing student-athletes with a national platform to showcase their talent while balancing their academic pursuits. Sanctioned by UniSport Australia and in partnership with Basketball Australia, the league plays a pivotal role in developing the next generation of basketball stars.

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marketing@unisport.com.au