Watch NBL in Bali: Australian Basketball in Ubud

If you're an Australian basketball fan visiting Bali, being on holiday doesn't mean you have to lose track of your favourite NBL team.

Whether you support the Perth Wildcats, Sydney Kings, Melbourne United or another club, finding somewhere to follow the National Basketball League while overseas can be part of planning your trip.

If you're looking to watch NBL in Bali, The Melting Pot Saloon in Ubud is a sports-viewing venue worth contacting about your preferred game. With multiple screens, a projector for major sporting events, food and drinks available throughout the day, The Melting Pot gives travelling sports fans somewhere to gather and enjoy the action.

This guide covers the Australian NBL, what to expect from the 2026–27 season, Bali game times and how to arrange to watch basketball in Ubud.

Where to Watch NBL in Bali

The National Basketball League has a passionate following across Australia and New Zealand, with fans regularly tuning in to support their hometown teams. However, finding a sports bar showing Australian basketball while travelling overseas isn't always straightforward.

Many venues prioritize football, rugby or other international sports, which means NBL fans may need to request their preferred match. If you're staying in Ubud, The Melting Pot Saloon offers live-sports viewing on multiple televisions, including an 80-inch screen and a projector used for major sporting events.

The venue regularly accommodates fans looking for different sports and accepts requests for particular games. If there's an NBL matchup you're hoping to watch, contact the venue beforehand with the teams and scheduled tip-off time.

Screening depends on broadcast availability, other scheduled sports and the venue's arrangements for that day. For fans travelling through central Bali, this offers a way to enquire about their favourite team's game without having to head toward the busier nightlife areas of Kuta or Seminyak.

What Is the Australian National Basketball League?

The National Basketball League, commonly called the NBL, is Australia's leading men's professional basketball competition.

Founded in 1979, the league has grown into an important part of Australian sporting culture, featuring established clubs, international players and emerging talent.

Unlike the NBA in the United States, the Australian NBL has a smaller number of teams and a shorter regular season. That doesn't mean there's any shortage of action.

Fast transitions, three-point shooting, intense defensive pressure and closely contested games are all part of the appeal.

The NBL has also become an important pathway for talented young players, particularly through its Next Stars program. For fans who already enjoy NBA basketball, the NBL offers another exciting competition to follow, especially during the Australian summer.

NBL 2026–27: Teams, Season and Competition Format

The Hungry Jack's NBL27 season began on September 19, 2026.

This season features 10 teams competing across 21 rounds, with each club scheduled to play 33 regular-season games. That makes a total of 165 games before the championship is decided.

The 10 NBL Teams

• Adelaide 36ers

• Brisbane Bullets

• Cairns Taipans

• Illawarra Hawks

• Melbourne United

• New Zealand Breakers

• Perth Wildcats

• South East Melbourne Phoenix

• Sydney Kings

• Tasmania JackJumpers

  
  

The competition stretches across Australia and New Zealand, creating plenty of interstate rivalries and passionate supporter matchups. For Australian visitors staying in Bali, supporting a team from home is another way to stay connected with the sporting action while travelling.

The NBL27 Season

The 2026–27 season includes regular-season fixtures, special event rounds, the Ignite Cup and the battle for places in the NBL Finals.

The Ignite Cup is an in-season competition featuring Wednesday-night games, with a separate points system that rewards individual quarter performances as well as match results.

Regular-season results also count toward the main NBL ladder. With teams competing for position throughout the campaign, games can become increasingly important as the season progresses toward the Finals.

You can follow the latest fixtures, standings and results on the official NBL website.

Which NBL Games Are Worth Watching?

Some NBL matchups naturally attract more attention because of local rivalries, championship history or the players involved. If you're planning to watch Australian basketball in Ubud, these are some of the fixtures worth keeping an eye on.

Melbourne United vs South East Melbourne Phoenix

Known as the Throwdown, this Melbourne rivalry is one of the competition's most recognizable matchups. With both teams representing the same city, their meetings carry plenty of local pride.

Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers

Both clubs have long histories in Australian basketball, making their encounters appealing to supporters who appreciate the league's traditional rivalries.

Sydney Kings vs Illawarra Hawks

This New South Wales matchup brings together two clubs with a strong regional connection.

The rivalry is especially interesting when both teams are competing near the top of the standings.

NBL Finals and Championship Series

As the regular season ends, attention turns toward the Finals and ultimately the Championship Series.

These are the games where the pressure increases, and each result can determine whether a team's season continues.

If you're visiting Bali during the postseason, checking the schedule early is worthwhile.

What Time Are NBL Games in Bali?

One advantage of watching Australian basketball from Bali is that many NBL games fall at convenient local times.

Bali follows Central Indonesia Time, or WITA (UTC+8), throughout the year.

Australia has several different time zones, and some states change their clocks for daylight saving time.

This means the time difference depends on where the NBL game is played and the date of the fixture.

For example:

• Perth is in the same time zone as Bali.

• Brisbane is two hours ahead of Bali.

• Melbourne and Sydney are generally two or three hours ahead of Bali, depending on daylight saving time.

• Adelaide is usually one and a half or two and a half hours ahead of Bali, depending on daylight saving time.

• New Zealand is generally four or five hours ahead of Bali, depending on daylight saving time.

  
  

If a game in Melbourne starts at 7:30 PM Australian Eastern Daylight Time, it begins at 4:30 PM in Bali.

For visitors hoping to watch an afternoon or evening NBL fixture, these time differences can make it easier to fit a basketball game around other holiday activities. Always check the date and time of your chosen fixture before heading to the venue.

Watching Australian Basketball at The Melting Pot Saloon

The Melting Pot Saloon is located on Jalan Raya Pengosekan (Hanoman) No. 22X, Ubud, Bali. The Texas-style venue is set up for sports fans, with multiple screens and the ability to show different events depending on scheduling and broadcast arrangements.

One of the advantages of watching sport at a bar rather than alone in your accommodation is the atmosphere. A close game can become much more enjoyable when you're watching with fellow basketball supporters.

And while NBL games are the focus of this guide, the venue also shows a range of other sports, including AFL, NRL, Premier League football, UFC and Formula 1.

If you'd like to see a particular NBL fixture, it's best to get in touch first. Let the team know which clubs are playing, the date and the Bali tip-off time so they can check whether the broadcast can be accommodated.

For more information about the venue's sports setup, read our Live Sports in Ubud guide.

Food, Drinks and More While Watching Basketball

A basketball game is even better when you can relax with good food and drinks. At The Melting Pot Saloon, the Texas Kitchen serves American-style comfort food, including smash burgers, BBQ spare ribs, quesadillas, chili and bar snacks.

Whether you're looking for a proper meal before tip-off or something to enjoy during a game, there are plenty of options to explore.

The venue also features 23 beers on tap, including 19 craft beers, alongside cocktails, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks.

If you're visiting with friends who aren't quite as passionate about basketball, there's more to do around the saloon.

Activities include pool, darts, shuffleboard, axe throwing, ping pong, foosball, air hockey and arcade games. You can enjoy a game of pool before the basketball begins or stick around afterward for a friendly competition of your own.

For more details on the food available, explore our Texas Kitchen menu.

How to Request an NBL Game in Ubud

If you're planning to watch a particular NBL game at The Melting Pot, a little preparation can make things easier.

First, check the official NBL schedule and find your team's next fixture.

Make sure to convert the scheduled tip-off time to Bali time, particularly if you're following a club from a city that observes daylight saving time.

Then contact The Melting Pot and provide the matchup, date and local start time. Because the venue shows several different sports, asking in advance allows the team to check the broadcast options and let you know whether your game can be shown.

The Melting Pot Saloon is open daily from 10:30 AM until 2:00 AM, except on Nyepi Day. However, opening hours don't guarantee that every scheduled NBL game will be broadcast, so it's always worth checking first.

Don't Miss Australian Basketball While Visiting Bali

Travelling through Bali doesn't mean giving up the sports you enjoy back home. From traditional rivalries to closely contested regular-season games and the excitement of the NBL Finals, there's plenty to follow throughout the Australian basketball season. If you're looking to watch NBL in Bali, The Melting Pot Saloon in Ubud offers a sports-friendly venue where you can enquire about your preferred basketball fixture. With multiple screens, food, cold drinks and plenty of activities, it's a place to enjoy a sporting afternoon or evening while exploring Ubud.

Planning to watch an NBL game in Ubud?

Contact The Melting Pot Saloon with the teams, game date and Bali tip-off time, and ask whether your preferred match can be shown.

Location: Jalan Raya Pengosekan (Hanoman) No. 22X, Ubud, Bali

Opening hours: 10:30 AM–2:00 AM daily, except Nyepi Day

WhatsApp: +62 812 4641 0890

Official fixtures: NBL Schedule & Results

Frequently Asked Questions About Watching NBL in Bali

Where can I watch NBL in Bali?

If you're staying in Ubud, you can contact The Melting Pot Saloon to ask whether your preferred NBL game can be shown. The venue has multiple screens and accommodates sports-viewing requests where broadcast availability allows.

Does The Melting Pot show every NBL game live?

The venue accepts requests for basketball and other sports, but every NBL fixture has not been confirmed for screening. Contact the staff in advance to check a particular match.

What time are NBL games shown in Bali?

NBL game times vary according to the fixture and Australian time zone. Bali uses UTC+8 year-round, so games played in Australia often begin in the afternoon or evening Bali time.

When did the NBL 2026–27 season begin?

The NBL27 season began on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The competition includes 10 teams and 165 regular-season games across 21 rounds.

Can I request a specific Australian basketball game?

Yes. The Melting Pot accepts requests for specific sporting events. Whether a game can be shown depends on broadcast access and the sports schedule.

Where is The Melting Pot Saloon located?

The venue is on Jalan Raya Pengosekan (Hanoman) No. 22X, Ubud, Bali, and offers sports viewing, food, drinks and games.