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Basketball

Panathinaikos vs Partizan

May 15, 2025 by dfavata

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Panathinaikos BC AKTOR and KK Partizan are heading to Australia this September for an unmissable basketball showdown.

The teams will first play each other on Thursday 18 September at John Cain Arena in Melbourne, before competing in a four-team tournament with the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers from Sunday 21 to Monday 22 September at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

The annual Pavlos Giannakipoulos Tournament honours the late Panathinaikos president, a legendary figure in European basketball.

Running Times
  • Gates Open: TBC
    • Gate 6 (via Western Plaza)
    • Gate 7 West / East (via Olympic Boulevard)
    • Gate 8 (via Eastern Plaza)
  • Start Time: 7:30pm
  • Event Concludes: TBC

Note: Times are approx. and subject to change without notice.

Important Event Information
  • There are several options for your journey to John Cain Arena:
    • Public transport is the quickest and easiest option. Before you attend, plan ahead and allow extra travel time for any major disruptions.
    • Parking is available at the Eastern Plaza Car Park (Entrance D, Olympic Boulevard). We strongly recommend pre-booking as drive-up spaces are subject to availability. Bookings close at midnight the night before the event. 
      • Note: Accessible parking must be pre-booked via Ticketek. We strongly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. 
  • To ensure a smooth entry into the venue, download your tickets to your digital wallet before arriving.
  • Bags must be able to fit under a seat, and a limit of one bag per person applies. 
  • Cloaking is available via the Information Desk (Gates 6 and 8). Any prohibited items listed in the venue Conditions of Entry will not be accepted for cloaking.
  • All retail outlets are cashless. Any transactions must be made using a credit or debit card.
  • If you have purchased a VIP package, the event promoter will be in contact with details regarding your experience.

Note: Events may contain sequences of flashing lights, lasers, strobes, haze and pyrotechnics which may affect photosensitive guests, and those with other medical conditions. 

Plan Your Visit

Getting here
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About the Tournament

The annual tournament honours the late Pavlos Giannakopoulos, a legendary figure in European basketball and long-time Panathinaikos president.

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR stands as one of Europe’s most successful basketball clubs. They’ve secured seven European championships, 41 Greek championships, and 21 Greek Cups. The club, known for its iconic green-and-white colours and passionate fanbase, embodies excellence and has a strong connection to Greek sporting culture.

KK Partizan is a legendary European basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. They clinched the EuroLeague title in 1992, marking a historic achievement as the first Serbian (and former Yugoslav) club to claim this honour. Partizan boasts a rich tradition of developing top-tier talent and has consistently excelled in European competitions.

Ford BALLIN’24 Melbourne

April 18, 2024 by dfavata

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Australia’s top representative teams will converge for the first time for Ford BALLIN’24 – an international series against China and Japan in Melbourne.

For the first time ever, the Boomers, Opals, Gangurrus (3X3), Gliders and Rollers will come together and play in a series over four days under one roof at John Cain Arena.

Day sessions will bring you an action-packed day with a mix of Australia’s wheelchair teams, the Rollers and Gliders taking on Japan, while the Gangurrus will play the fast-paced and exciting 3X3 format against China.

The showcase games will see the Boomers and Opals take on China in the evening.

Running Times

Tuesday 2 July

Day Session

  • Gates Open: 10:00am
    • Gate 6 (via Western Plaza) – Accessibility
    • Gate 7 West / East (via Olympic Boulevard) – General Admission
  • Start Time: 11:00am
  • Event Concludes: 4:30pm

Night Session

  • Gates Open: 6:30pm
    • Gate 6 (via Western Plaza) – Accessibility & VIP
    • Gate 7 West / East (via Olympic Boulevard) – Reserved Seating
    • Gate 8 (via Eastern Plaza) – VIP
  • Boomers vs China: 7:30pm
  • Event Concludes: 10:00pm

Wednesday 3 July

Day Session

  • Gates Open: 10:00am
    • Gate 6 (via Western Plaza) – Accessibility
    • Gate 7 West / East (via Olympic Boulevard) – General Admission
  • Start Time: 11:00am
  • Event Concludes: 4:30pm

Night Session

  • Gates Open: 6:30pm
    • Gate 6 (via Western Plaza) – Accessibility & VIP
    • Gate 7 West / East (via Olympic Boulevard) – Reserved Seating
    • Gate 8 (via Eastern Plaza) – VIP
  • Opals vs China: 7:30pm
  • Event Concludes: 10:00pm

Thursday 4 July

Day Session

  • Gates Open: 10:00am
    • Gate 6 (via Western Plaza) – Accessibility
    • Gate 7 West / East (via Olympic Boulevard) – General Admission
  • Start Time: 11:00pm
  • Event Concludes: 4:30pm

Night Session

  • Gates Open: 6:30pm
    • Gate 6 (via Western Plaza) – Accessibility & VIP
    • Gate 7 West / East (via Olympic Boulevard) – Reserved Seating
    • Gate 8 (via Eastern Plaza) – VIP
  • Boomers vs China: 7:30pm
  • Event Concludes: 10:00pm

Friday 5 July

Day Session

  • Gates Open: 10:00am
    • Gate 6 (via Western Plaza) – Accessibility
    • Gate 7 West / East (via Olympic Boulevard) – General Admission
  • Start Time: 11:00am
  • Event Concludes: 4:30pm

Night Session

  • Gates Open: 6:30pm
    • Gate 6 (via Western Plaza) – Accessibility & VIP
    • Gate 7 West / East (via Olympic Boulevard) – Reserved Seating
    • Gate 8 (via Eastern Plaza) – VIP
  • Opals vs China: 7:30pm
  • Event Concludes: 10:00pm

Note: Times are approx. and subject to change without notice.

Important Event Information
  • There are several options for your journey to John Cain Arena:
    • Public transport is the quickest and easiest option. Before you attend, plan ahead and allow extra travel time for any major disruptions.
    • Parking is available at the Eastern Plaza Car Park (Entrance D, Olympic Boulevard). We strongly recommend pre-booking; drive-up spaces are subject to availability. Bookings close at midnight the night before the event.
      • Note: Accessible parking must be pre-booked via Ticketek. 
  • To ensure a smooth entry into the venue, download your tickets to your Digital Wallet.
  • Bags must be able to fit under a seat. A limit of one bag per person applies.
  • Cloaking is available via the Information Desk (Gates 6 & 8). Any prohibited items listed in the venue Conditions of Entry will not be accepted for cloaking.
  • All retail outlets are cashless. Any transactions must be made using a credit or debit card.
  • If you have purchased a VIP package, the event promoter will be in contact with details regarding your experience.

Note: This event may contain sequences of flashing lights, laser, strobe, haze and pyrotechnics which may affect guests who are susceptible to photo sensitivities and medical conditions.

Plan Your Visit

Getting here
local_parking
Parking
accessible
Accessibility
fastfood
Food and Drink
place
Maps
person_search
Conditions of Entry
question_mark
FAQs

Ford BALLIN’24 Melbourne

Be part of history as John Cain Arena turns green and gold for a festival of basketball this July!

Brian Goorjan’s Boomers are going to be near full strength, with NBA talent such as Josh Giddey, Matisse Thybulle and Dyson Daniels on display against the Chinese Men’s basketball team, while the Opals line-up includes stars such as, Tess Madgen, Cayla George and Lauren Jackson.

The Gangarrus are fresh off Asia Cup Gold Medals and will showcase the 3X3 format that first appeared in the Olympics in Tokyo 2020, and Australia’s successful wheelchair teams; the Rollers (Men) and Gliders (Women) will also be in action throughout the four-day event.

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Melbourne Park acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the East Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners of the land on which it operates, and pays respect to Elders past and present.

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Please let us know if you encounter any issues.

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