The New Orleans Pelicans will be heading Down Under in October.
The National Basketball Association announced on Monday that the Pelicans will play two preseason games in Australia ahead of the 2025-26 season. Those games are scheduled for Friday, October 3 and Sunday, October 5. The Pelicans will face Melbourne United in the first game and South East Melbourne Phoenix in the second game. Both opponents are members of Australia’s National Basketball League.
These games will be the first NBA games played in Australia.
In addition to competing in the two games, the Pelicans will take part in community service and outreach events in conjunction with the NBA Cares program. The goal of those events will be to expand grassroots basketball development efforts in Oceania.