Disney+ has been announced as the presenting partner of the inaugural Hungry Jack’s NBL Ignite Cup, launching on October 8 as part of the National Basketball League’s 2025–26 season.
The new mid-season competition will feature 20 Wednesday night games across the regular season, culminating in a standalone Grand Final to be played in a major city yet to be revealed. The Ignite Cup will carry a total prize pool of $400,000 — the largest in NBL history.
The partnership extends The Walt Disney Company’s long-standing relationship with the NBL through ESPN on Disney+, which will stream every Hungry Jack’s NBL game live in 2026, along with all Ignite Cup fixtures and the NBL Finals.
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, and Head of ESPN Asia Pacific, said: “Disney+ is thrilled to be the presenting partner of the Hungry Jack’s NBL Ignite Cup. The Walt Disney Company is a strong and long-standing supporter of the NBL and basketball in Australia. We’re excited to be bringing even more thrilling basketball action to hoops fans through our ESPN network, including Disney+, where it plays alongside the best of premium entertainment.”
David Stevenson, NBL Group CEO, said the partnership represents a major step in growing the league’s reach: “Disney+ is an invaluable supporter of the NBL through our partnership with ESPN, and we are delighted to extend that connection to the Ignite Cup. Their backing ensures that this tournament will reach more Australians than ever before, helping us showcase the best of the league and its players on a national stage.”
With millions of subscribers across Australia and New Zealand, Disney+ is expected to help the NBL attract its largest-ever mainstream audience, furthering the League’s push to expand basketball’s visibility and fan engagement throughout the region.