The NBL Championship is the annual championship series of the National Basketball League (NBL). The entrants are determined by the victors of the two Semifinals series, who engage in a best-of-five game series to determine the league champion. The winners of the Championship series are awarded the Dr John Raschke Trophy.
History Prior to 1986, the NBL Grand Final was decided by a single game. From 2004 until 2009, the series was expanded to a best-of-five games.
The first NBL Grand Final was played on 10 June 1979 at the Albert Park Basketball Stadium in Melbourne. The St. Kilda Saints defeated the Canberra Cannons 94-93 to become the inaugural NBL Champions.
The Perth Wildcats hold the record for most Grand Final appearances with 15 between 1987 and 2019/20. They have also won a record 10 NBL Championships. The Wildcats have not missed the NBL Finals since 1987, a record of 35 consecutive years.
No Grand Final MVP was awarded between 1981 and 1985. The NBL Grand Final Most Valuable Player Award winner receives the Larry Sengstock Medal, which is named in honour of Larry Sengstock, the winner of the league's first Grand Final MVP award in 1979.
Rocky Smith (1980), Leroy Loggins (1987), Scott Fisher (1989), Chris Williams (2002/03), Chris Anstey (2005/06) and Cedric Jackson (2012/13) all won the Grand Final MVP and the regular season MVP awards in the same season.
During 2022–23 NBL season, NBL Grand Final has renamed as NBL Championship Series following a finals format change which saw the introduction of a play-in tournament.
Results Year Date Home Score Away MVP Arena197910 JuneSt. Kilda Saints94–93Canberra CannonsLarry SengstockAlbert Park Basketball Stadium198015 JuneWest Adelaide Bearcats88–113St. Kilda SaintsRocky SmithDowling Street Stadium198128 JuneLaunceston Casino City75–54Nunawading SpectresN/AApollo Stadium198218 JulyWest Adelaide Bearcats80–74Geelong CatsN/ANewcastle Sports Entertainment Centre19834 JulyCanberra Cannons75–73West Adelaide BearcatsN/AKilsyth Stadium19841 JulyBrisbane Bullets82–84Canberra CannonsN/AThe Glass House19857 SeptemberBrisbane Bullets121–95Adelaide 36ersN/ASleeman Sports Centre198611 OctoberBrisbane Bullets119–122Adelaide 36ersMark DavisBrisbane Entertainment Centre17 OctoberAdelaide 36ers83–104Brisbane BulletsApollo Stadium19 OctoberAdelaide 36ers113–91Brisbane BulletsApollo Stadium198710 OctoberPerth Wildcats79–80Brisbane BulletsLeroy LogginsChallenge Stadium16 OctoberBrisbane Bullets106–87Perth WildcatsBrisbane Entertainment Centre198830 JulyCanberra Cannons120–95North Melbourne GiantsPhil SmythAIS Arena5 AugustNorth Melbourne Giants117–101Canberra CannonsThe Glass House7 AugustNorth Melbourne Giants102–108Canberra CannonsThe Glass House198914 OctoberCanberra Cannons105–111North Melbourne GiantsScott FisherAIS Arena20 OctoberNorth Melbourne Giants111–97Canberra CannonsThe Glass House199019 OctoberPerth Wildcats112–106Brisbane BulletsRicky GracePerth Entertainment Centre26 OctoberBrisbane Bullets106–90Perth WildcatsBrisbane Entertainment Centre28 OctoberBrisbane Bullets86–109Perth WildcatsBrisbane Entertainment Centre199119 OctoberEastside Spectres83–109Perth WildcatsPete HansenThe Glass House25 OctoberPerth Wildcats81–86Eastside SpectresPerth Entertainment Centre27 OctoberPerth Wildcats90–80Eastside SpectresPerth Entertainment Centre199224 OctoberMelbourne Tigers116–98S.E. Melbourne MagicBruce BoldenMelbourne Park30 OctoberS.E. Melbourne Magic115–93Melbourne TigersMelbourne Park1 NovemberS.E. Melbourne Magic95–88Melbourne TigersMelbourne Park199323 OctoberMelbourne Tigers117–113Perth WildcatsRicky GraceMelbourne Park29 OctoberPerth Wildcats112–105Melbourne TigersPerth Entertainment Centre31 OctoberPerth Wildcats102–104Melbourne TigersPerth Entertainment Centre199422 OctoberAdelaide 36ers93–95North Melbourne GiantsPaul ReesClipsal Powerhouse28 OctoberNorth Melbourne Giants117–97Adelaide 36ersThe Glass House19957 OctoberPerth Wildcats97–104North Melbourne GiantsAndrew VlahovPerth Entertainment Centre13 OctoberNorth Melbourne Giants88–97Perth WildcatsThe Glass House15 OctoberPerth Wildcats108–88North Melbourne GiantsPerth Entertainment Centre199625 OctoberS.E. Melbourne Magic89–100Melbourne TigersMike KellyMelbourne Park1 NovemberMelbourne Tigers84–88S.E. Melbourne MagicMelbourne Park3 NovemberMelbourne Tigers70–107S.E. Melbourne MagicMelbourne Park199725 OctoberMelbourne Tigers111–74S.E. Melbourne MagicLanard CopelandMelbourne Park29 OctoberS.E. Melbourne Magic84–78Melbourne TigersMelbourne Park1 NovemberS.E. Melbourne Magic83–93Melbourne TigersMelbourne Park199828 JuneAdelaide 36ers100–93S.E. Melbourne MagicKevin BrooksAdelaide Arena1 JulyS.E. Melbourne Magic62–90Adelaide 36ersMelbourne Park199916 AprilVictoria Titans94–104Adelaide 36ersBrett MaherMelbourne Park21 AprilAdelaide 36ers82–88Victoria TitansAdelaide Arena23 AprilAdelaide 36ers80–63Victoria TitansAdelaide Arena20007 AprilVictoria Titans78–84Perth WildcatsMarcus TimmonsMelbourne Park12 AprilPerth Wildcats83–76Victoria TitansPerth Entertainment Centre200122 AprilWollongong Hawks104–101Townsville CrocodilesGlen SavilleWollongong Entertainment Centre28 AprilTownsville Crocodiles114–97Wollongong HawksTownsville Entertainment Centre29 AprilTownsville Crocodiles94–97Wollongong HawksWollongong Entertainment Centre200212 AprilAdelaide 36ers106–97West Sydney RazorbacksBrett MaherAdelaide Arena14 AprilWest Sydney Razorbacks103–100Adelaide 36ersState Sports Centre19 AprilAdelaide 36ers125–107West Sydney RazorbacksAdelaide Arena20033 AprilSydney Kings98–94Perth WildcatsChris WilliamsSydney Entertainment Centre6 AprilPerth Wildcats101–117Sydney KingsChallenge Stadium200424 MarchSydney Kings96–76West Sydney RazorbacksMatthew NielsenSydney Entertainment Centre26 MarchWest Sydney Razorbacks87–72Sydney KingsState Sports Centre31 MarchSydney Kings80–82West Sydney RazorbacksSydney Entertainment Centre4 AprilWest Sydney Razorbacks77–82Sydney KingsState Sports Centre6 AprilSydney Kings90–79West Sydney RazorbacksSydney Entertainment Centre200511 MarchSydney Kings96–73Wollongong HawksJason SmithSydney Entertainment Centre13 MarchWollongong Hawks80–105Sydney KingsWollongong Entertainment Centre19 MarchSydney Kings112–85Wollongong HawksSydney Entertainment Centre200624 FebruarySydney Kings93–100Melbourne TigersChris AnsteySydney Entertainment Centre26 FebruaryMelbourne Tigers103–99Sydney KingsState Netball Hockey Centre28 FebruarySydney Kings83–88Melbourne TigersSydney Entertainment Centre20072 MarchBrisbane Bullets98–95Melbourne TigersSam MackinnonBrisbane Entertainment Centre4 MarchMelbourne Tigers105–91Brisbane BulletsState Netball Hockey Centre7 MarchBrisbane Bullets113–93Melbourne TigersBrisbane Entertainment Centre9 MarchMelbourne Tigers94–103Brisbane BulletsState Netball Hockey Centre20085 MarchSydney Kings95–74Melbourne TigersChris AnsteySydney Entertainment Centre7 MarchMelbourne Tigers104–93Sydney KingsState Netball Hockey Centre9 MarchSydney Kings87–89Melbourne TigersSydney Entertainment Centre12 MarchMelbourne Tigers87–90Sydney KingsState Netball Hockey Centre14 MarchSydney Kings73–85Melbourne TigersSydney Entertainment Centre20094 MarchSouth Dragons93–81Melbourne TigersDonta SmithHisense Arena6 MarchMelbourne Tigers88–83South DragonsState Netball Hockey Centre8 MarchSouth Dragons84–67Melbourne TigersHisense Arena11 MarchMelbourne Tigers108–95South DragonsState Netball Hockey Centre13 MarchSouth Dragons102–91Melbourne TigersHisense Arena20105 MarchPerth Wildcats75–64Wollongong HawksKevin LischChallenge Stadium9 MarchWollongong Hawks75–63Perth WildcatsWIN Entertainment Centre12 MarchPerth Wildcats96–72Wollongong HawksChallenge Stadium201120 AprilNew Zealand Breakers85–67Cairns TaipansThomas Abercrombie North Shore Events Centre24 AprilCairns Taipans85–81New Zealand BreakersCairns Convention Centre29 AprilNew Zealand Breakers71–53Cairns TaipansNorth Shore Events Centre201212 AprilNew Zealand Breakers104–98Perth WildcatsC.J. BrutonVector Arena20 AprilPerth Wildcats87–86New Zealand BreakersChallenge Stadium24 AprilNew Zealand Breakers79–73Perth WildcatsVector Arena20137 AprilNew Zealand Breakers79–67Perth WildcatsCedric JacksonVector Arena12 AprilPerth Wildcats66–70New Zealand BreakersPerth Arena20147 AprilPerth Wildcats92–85Adelaide 36ersJermaine BealPerth Arena11 AprilAdelaide 36ers89–84Perth WildcatsAdelaide Arena13 AprilPerth Wildcats93–59Adelaide 36ersPerth Arena20156 MarchCairns Taipans71–86New Zealand BreakersCedric JacksonCairns Convention Centre8 MarchNew Zealand Breakers83–81 Cairns TaipansNorth Shore Events Centre20162 MarchPerth Wildcats82–76New Zealand BreakersDamian MartinPerth Arena4 MarchNew Zealand Breakers72–68Perth WildcatsNorth Shore Events Centre6 MarchPerth Wildcats75–52New Zealand BreakersPerth Arena201726 FebruaryPerth Wildcats89–77Illawarra HawksBryce CottonPerth Arena1 MarchIllawarra Hawks77–89Perth WildcatsWollongong Entertainment Centre5 MarchPerth Wildcats95–86Illawarra HawksPerth Arena201816 MarchMelbourne United107–96Adelaide 36ersChris GouldingHisense Arena18 MarchAdelaide 36ers110–95Melbourne UnitedAdelaide Arena23 MarchMelbourne United101–98Adelaide 36ersHisense Arena25 MarchAdelaide 36ers90–81Melbourne UnitedAdelaide Arena31 MarchMelbourne United100–82Adelaide 36ersHisense Arena20198 MarchPerth Wildcats81–71Melbourne UnitedTerrico WhitePerth Arena10 MarchMelbourne United92–74Perth WildcatsMelbourne Arena15 MarchPerth Wildcats96–67Melbourne UnitedPerth Arena17 MarchMelbourne United84–97Perth WildcatsMelbourne Arena20208 MarchSydney Kings86–88Perth WildcatsBryce CottonSydney SuperDome13 MarchPerth Wildcats83–97Sydney KingsPerth Arena15 MarchSydney Kings96–111Perth WildcatsSydney SuperDome202118 JunePerth Wildcats70–73Melbourne UnitedJock LandalePerth Arena20 JunePerth Wildcats74–83Melbourne UnitedPerth Arena25 JuneMelbourne United81–76Perth WildcatsJohn Cain Arena20226 MaySydney Kings95–78Tasmania JackJumpersXavier CooksSydney SuperDome8 MayTasmania JackJumpers86–90Sydney KingsDerwent Entertainment Centre11 MaySydney Kings97–88Tasmania JackJumpersSydney SuperDome20233 MarchSydney Kings87–95New Zealand BreakersDerrick WaltonSydney SuperDome5 MarchNew Zealand Breakers74–81Sydney KingsSpark Arena10 MarchSydney Kings91–68New Zealand BreakersSydney SuperDome12 MarchNew Zealand Breakers80–70Sydney KingsSpark Arena15 MarchSydney Kings77–69New Zealand BreakersSydney SuperDome202417 MarchMelbourne United104–81Tasmania JackJumpersJack McVeighJohn Cain Arena22 MarchTasmania JackJumpers82–77Melbourne UnitedDerwent Entertainment Centre24 MarchMelbourne United91–93Tasmania JackJumpersJohn Cain Arena28 MarchTasmania JackJumpers86–88Melbourne UnitedDerwent Entertainment Centre31 MarchMelbourne United81–83Tasmania JackJumpersJohn Cain Arena20258 MarchIllawarra Hawks88–96Melbourne UnitedMatthew DellavedovaWollongong Entertainment Centre12 MarchMelbourne United100–102Illawarra HawksJohn Cain Arena16 MarchIllawarra Hawks77–83Melbourne UnitedWollongong Entertainment Centre19 MarchMelbourne United71–80Illawarra HawksJohn Cain Arena23 MarchIllawarra Hawks114–104Melbourne UnitedWollongong Entertainment Centre202621 MarchSydney Kings112–68Adelaide 36ersKendric Davis Sydney SuperDome27 MarchAdelaide 36ers91–89Sydney KingsAdelaide Entertainment Centre29 MarchSydney Kings106–93Adelaide 36ersSydney SuperDome1 AprilAdelaide 36ers92–91Sydney KingsAdelaide Entertainment Centre5 AprilSydney Kings113–101Adelaide 36ersSydney SuperDome
Championship record