Australia’s biggest celebration of basketball culture is stepping onto a larger court, with Summer Jam confirming a major national expansion for its 14th edition. The streetball festival, which began as a modest grassroots tournament in 2011, will visit four cities in January before returning to Melbourne for its championship weekend in February 2026.
The Summer Jam Tour opens in Brisbane on 18 January, then heads to Perth on 24 January, Melbourne on 26 January and Sydney on 31 January. Each stop will host a free festival built around elite 5v5 streetball, live DJs, MCs, slam dunk contests, food trucks and special guests. Winners from each location will qualify for the Summer Jam Championships at Peanut Farm Reserve in St Kilda from 20 to 22 February.
The championships will feature men’s and women’s divisions vying for a $20,000 prize pool, the National Slam Dunk Contest with Australian and international dunkers, and the Creator Cup, where athletes and creators compete under the guidance of a surprise NBA guest coach. Fans can also expect global street food and live entertainment celebrating the summer crossover of basketball and culture.
Co-founder Daniel Ella said the event was built on the idea that world-class moments could be created locally. “We grew up dreaming of the NBA, so we made our own, in our backyard,” he said. “Summer Jam was born from the love of the game and the community that surrounds it. It’s about giving players a platform, connecting cultures and celebrating basketball at every level.”
Eamon Larman-Ripon added, “What started as a single event in Melbourne has grown into a national and now, global movement.”
Supported by Jordan Brand and Foot Locker, Summer Jam continues to champion inclusivity, with the world’s largest women’s streetball prize purse. Tickets go on sale from 2 December, with early purchases recommended via summerjam.com.au
