The Auckland Tuatara will open the 2024 Sal’s NBL season with an Easter Sunday visit to Wellington to take on the Saints at TSB Arena.
The 2024 Sal’s NBL schedule was released today, confirming 10 home games at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland.
The Tuatara will play their first home game in their third season competing in the league in week two, when they host the Taranaki Airs on Thursday April 4 at Eventfinda Stadium.
The two-time grand finalists have a double-header that weekend, with their first ever trip to Tauranga to play newcomers the Whai set for April 6.
“We are delighted to have all of our home games at our home at Eventfinda Stadium,” Tuatara GM of Sport and Communications Dale Budge said.
“The team feels like Eventfinda Stadium is home to us and our fans are happiest there.
“It has been a challenging exercise for the league to complete the draw, balancing venue availability across the league with the need to ensure every game is live on Sky Sport without crossing over other fixtures. Maree and her team have done a great job getting the schedule locked in place.
“We are well underway with our planning for the 2024 season, and we have some exciting new initiatives that we look forward to rolling out at home games next season.”
The Tuatara will have three Saturday matches at home – a week six match-up with the Hawks, a week seven clash against the Jets and then a round 10 blockbuster against the Saints.
They face the defending champion Canterbury Rams in Christchurch on Sunday April 14 in a replay of this year’s Grand Final with the return match back at Eventfinda Stadium on Sunday June 9.
Aaron Young’s side will battle crosstown rivals the Franklin Bulls in an exciting round five match on Wednesday April 24 – the night before Anzac Day – while the return game in Pukekohe is slated for Saturday June 29.
The Tuatara face away double headers in round three (Giants and Rams) and round eight (Nuggets and Sharks).
The Tuatara feature on five occasions on the free-to-air SKY Open channel, including an opening week clash with the Saints plus trips to visit the reigning champion Rams in Christchurch and newcomers Whai in Tauranga.
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2024 Sal’s NBL Tuatara schedule
3pm Sun Mar 31 @ Saints (SKY Open)
7.30pm Thu Apr 4 v Airs at Eventfinda Stadium
7.30pm Sat Apr 6 @ Whai
7.30pm Fri Apr 12 @ Giants
3pm Sun Apr 14 @ Rams (SKY Open)
7.30pm Fri Apr 19 v Sharks at Eventfinda Stadium
7.30pm Wed Apr 24 v Bulls at Eventfinda Stadium
4pm Sat Apr 27 @ Jets
7.30pm Sat May 4 v Hawks at Eventfinda Stadium
7.30pm Sat May 11 v Jets at Eventfinda Stadium
7.30pm Thu May 16 @ Nuggets
4pm Sat May 18 @ Sharks
7.30pm Fri May 24 v Giants at Eventfinda Stadium
4pm Sat Jun 1 v Saints at Eventfinda Stadium
3pm Sun Jun 9 v Rams at Eventfinda Stadium (SKY Open)
3pm Sun Jun 16 v Whai at Eventfinda Stadium (SKY Open)
7.30pm Wed Jun 19 v Nuggets at Eventfinda Stadium
7.30pm Sat Jun 29 @ Bulls
3pm Sun Jul 7 @ Airs (SKY Open)
7.30pm Wed Jul 10 @ Hawks