Boom! 1.3 million Aussies play the game we all love

• Basketball now ranks as Australia's second most popular team sport with 1.3 million participants
• Women's participation has surged by 25% since 2022, driven by initiatives like the She Hoops program
• Infrastructure struggles to keep pace with demand, with an estimated 150,000 players missing out due to lack of court space
• Growth: Basketball is a $400M industry in Australia

Basketball has firmly established itself as one of Australia's most beloved team sports, with latest AusPlay data confirming about 1.3 million players now hitting courts across the nation.

The sport's remarkable growth in Australia places it second among team participation sports nationwide, appealing to Australians of all ages and backgrounds.

Sport Australia's latest figures reveal 89% of Australian adults now engage in sport or physical activity yearly, while 76% of children participate in organised out-of-school sports.

Basketball's accessibility has been a key driver of its popularity surge. Our sport offers various formats including traditional 5-on-5, the fast-paced 3x3, and walking basketball — providing options for players across all demographics and fitness levels.

Female participation has experienced impressive growth, increasing by 25% since 2022. This surge can be attributed to targeted initiatives such as the She Hoops program, championed by Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson AO OLY.

The impact is clear among younger players, with basketball now ranking in the top five most played organised sports for children aged five to 14, boasting more than 350,000 regular junior participants.

Basketball is resonating within culturally diverse communities, where it consistently ranks among the top three activities. This multicultural appeal reflects basketball's inclusive nature and low barriers to entry compared to some other team sports.

Australia's growing international presence has further fuelled domestic interest. Stars such as Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Patty Mills, and Sami Whitcomb have become household names, inspiring a new generation of players. Major international events hosted on Australian soil have also captured public attention, with the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney attracting more than 145,000 attendees, while the 2024 Boomers Olympic qualifiers achieved record domestic viewership.

However, this remarkable growth has created significant challenges. Infrastructure development has failed to keep pace with the sport's exploding popularity, creating bottlenecks at community facilities across the country. A report from Basketball New South Wales estimated that up to 150,000 potential players miss out annually because of insufficient court space. Urban areas face particularly acute shortages, with growing waitlists for junior competitions forcing some families to look elsewhere.

Chief Executive Officer at Basketball Australia Matt Scriven said: "Our approach and actions to improving infrastructure will be one of the most important challenges in the history of basketball in Australia.

"We have enjoyed an incredible volume of participation growth in the last decade and it's essential we find solutions to supplement court space."

Scriven emphasised the need for collaboration across all levels of basketball administration and government to address these infrastructure challenges.

"Our success to meet the current demand will rely on unifying and establishing sustainable collaboration with States & Territories, Associations and connecting the intersections with Local, State & Federal tiers of Government," he said.

Executive GM of Member Relations & Game Development at Basketball Australia David Simpson added: "I think this is a really accurate reflection on the popularity of the sport. We are seeing more and more people engaging in basketball each and every year, particularly those from diverse backgrounds."

He pointed to the success of development programs as evidence of basketball's bright future.

"Our flagship Ford Aussie Hoops program is growing at an even greater rate than the numbers presented in the AusPlay data, reflecting the popularity of the sport with the younger generations and setting them up for lifelong participation in basketball," Simpson added.

He also highlighted the rapid growth of the Ability Hoops program, funded by the Federal Government, which provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to participate in basketball in a safe and welcoming environment.

With Australia preparing to host major sporting events including the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, basketball's popularity trajectory appears set to continue upward.

But without significant investment in courts and facilities, the sport risks leaving thousands of enthusiastic Australians unable to participate fully in the game they love.