The Tasmania Jewels' addition to the WNBL has created both a regular season and finals shake-up as the expanding league unveiled its schedule for the 2026-2027 campaign.
Tasmania will make their much-anticipated debut against the Geelong Venom in the competition's curtain-raiser on October 15 after NBL club the Tasmania JackJumpers were granted a licence to field a women's team last August.
The licence guaranteed the Apple Isle would host a WNBL team for the first time since 1996, after the Hobart Islanders folded.
Adding a ninth team to the competition was going to create a calendar change, and the league has decided, in most rounds, to host regular-season games on Thursday nights in addition to its usual Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday time slots.
But the WNBL also announced that the finals format will be altered, with the number of teams in the post-season expanding from four to five.
Instead of two semi-finals to decide the grand finalists, there will now be a one-off elimination final between the fourth and fifth-placed teams, where the winner plays the minor premiers for a spot in the decider, while second meets third for the other place.
Elsewhere, the grand final rematch between the Perth Lynx and champions Townsville Fire is set to feature in the opening round, while Opal Jade Melbourne also returns to Canberra in the first weekend to face the UC Capitals after signing with the Bendigo Spirit.
Alongside the NBL, HoopsFest will take place at RAC Arena in Perth from January 13-17, before the 99 match, 16-round regular season wraps on January 31.
109 GAMES OF WNBL27 ACTION IS COMING YOUR WAY 🤩
— WNBL (@WNBL) June 30, 2026
It all starts on October 15.
Full schedule on the website & app.
Sync to your calendar here: https://t.co/0TNoAKT4VY pic.twitter.com/GuRbfIedpR
Chief Operating Officer Justin Nelson said the schedule has been built for fan engagement after the league experienced surges in viewership and attendance last season.
"We have the Jewels joining, some big names returning and some fresh faces that will take things up another level on and off the court," he said.
"We've prioritised blockbuster match-ups and maximised the opportunities for supporters to see their teams live with some new fan-friendly tip-off times."
