Red Energy Arena to host 2026 Code Sports NBL Blitz youth event

Bendigo will stage the 2026 Code Sports NBL Blitz at Red Energy Arena from September 2 to 6. The event brings together elite youth basketball teams for five days of competition at the venue that already hosts the Bendigo Spirit, the city's NBL team.

Venue role in local basketball growth

Red Energy Arena serves as the central indoor facility for high-level basketball in the region. The upcoming Blitz adds a major youth tournament to its calendar, giving local players and visiting teams access to the same court used by the Spirit. This scheduling continues the venue's pattern of supporting both professional and developing athletes without requiring new construction.

The facility's existing setup allows the city to attract events that would otherwise go elsewhere. Youth programs benefit from the arena's lighting, seating and court standards already in place for NBL games, keeping costs and logistics straightforward for organisers.

Broader youth participation supported by current infrastructure

Local success at recent junior tournaments and individual national titles shows steady participation across multiple sports. Programs such as the Bendigo Sports Inclusion Program have involved more than 1,300 young people since 2019 in activities including soccer, volleyball and cane ball. These efforts rely on the same pool of indoor and outdoor spaces already available rather than new builds.

The combination of Red Energy Arena for basketball and other established grounds for different codes keeps the city able to run simultaneous events. The Junior Classic Tournament earlier drew 355 teams and 15,000 spectators, indicating the current venues can handle large youth gatherings when scheduled together.

Next steps for families and clubs include checking the Bendigo Academy of Sport Facebook page for entry details and training sessions ahead of the September dates. Local teams can also contact the arena directly for court access outside the Blitz period.