DreamShake
Earlier this year

Bullets returning to BEC

Source

The Brisbane Bullets will return to Queensland's largest indoor arena, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre (BEC) ahead of the 2024/25 NBL season.


This strategic move marks a significant step forward for the Club, with the 10,500+ seat arena creating a great opportunity for growth.


The Bullets played in front of capacity crowds for the majority of the 2023/24 season and reached 94% total arena attendance for the year. Coupled with the exponential growth of the sport at the grassroots level, the move provides the Club with the opportunity to dramatically increase the fan and member base.


"Taking our home games to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre is an important next step in what is projected to be a significant growth period for the Club," Brisbane Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts said.


“Basketball is booming in South East Queensland and this move is a key factor in ensuring we can continue to make our game day experience bigger and better for our members, fans and corporate partners. It enables us to elevate all aspects of the game presentation and provide an increase in seating, premium hospitality, parking and improved accessibility via public transport option.”


NBL CEO David Stevenson adds, “The NBL has never been in a stronger position as one of the fastest growing leagues in the Australian sporting market.”


“Brisbane has such a passionate fan base and a long and proud history in the NBL.


“The Bullets move to a larger capacity venue, provides a great opportunity for continued fan growth not only for the Club but also the League as a whole.”


The famed arena will also revive a sense of nostalgia among long-time fans who experienced one of the most successful periods in the Club's history at the iconic venue.


“As a team we are thrilled to get the opportunity to play at BEC once again, an arena that we know can rival other teams in the league,” Hostplus Head Coach Justin Schueller added.


“The Bullets have a proud history of winning in this building. We ask all our fans to turn this venue into a fortress and to help us continue to take steps forward to hanging a banner in the rafters again.”

Topic #52048 | Report this topic


word14  
Earlier this year

Excellent news

Reply #942796 | Report this post


Ben  
Earlier this year

Didn't see this coming.

BEC is far more expensive than Nissan. Bullets management must be confident of projected increases in sponsorship/attendance, or they're getting an excellent deal on game day hire.

I like the move on face value. The venue is FAR more accessible by personal travel and public transport. A more attractive prospect for the emerging Sunshine Coast market also.

It also moves the team north and further away from a likely Gold Coast team.

Will be interesting to see initial attendances and how the venue is utilised for seating given that BEC is 2.5x capacity over Nissan.

Reply #942798 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Earlier this year

I don't really get this losing Sobey, missing out on WMW and with no big roster additions makes this move a bit odd in what seemed like was going to be a treading water type season ahead for the Bullets. Perhaps they're expecting to sign WMW at some point, only way this looks like it could make sense.

Reply #942801 | Report this post


Ben  
Earlier this year

Absolutely nothing to do with anticipated on-court success Zodiac, they're going nowhere in that regard for a while.

Move primarily being made to cater to forecasted larger crowds.

Reply #942809 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Earlier this year

Well okay I hope those projections work out for them as it didn't look great on TV them playing out of Nissan Arena but as you said at 2.5x the size of Nissan I hope they know what they're doing, it's not like Deng Adel is going to be some huge drawcard.

Reply #942811 | Report this post


Dunkman  
Earlier this year

Agree with Zodiac, if they struggle early, crowds will disappear very quickly. Good luck with it though. Still time to get an absolute star player yet.

Reply #942815 | Report this post


KET  
Earlier this year

Maybe they'll try to play a Rugby League style

Reply #942819 | Report this post


NBLTigers  
Earlier this year

Great move by the bullets, annoyed United can't move to Rod Laver since it’s a corporate issue. JJ’s would die for a 10,000 plus stadium now.

Reply #942823 | Report this post


KET  
Earlier this year

What do you mean they can't move to RLA because it’s a corporate issue? Do you mean too expensive?

I assumed it would be because of lack of availability since concerts use it a lot and book well in advance.

The size at some point might be more viable for more significant United games.

Reply #942825 | Report this post


DennisRodmansHair  
Earlier this year

Look at the 36ers move to AEC. Membership and attendance has gone through the roof and its not due to success on the court. 36ers haven't made the playoffs once since the shift, yet we sold out pretty most of the last home games to finish the season.

Reply #942826 | Report this post


KET  
Earlier this year

Is the BEC city central enough to get that kind of jump though?

Reply #942830 | Report this post


RobT  
Earlier this year

A blessing for most who are north of Brissie. The Gateway is good for the southside and access from the West is also easy enough. All options can avoid Brisbane CBD traffic. Public Trans may be an issue, though.

I'll need a lift but I'm all for it.

Reply #942838 | Report this post


Perthworld  
Earlier this year

The Big 5 are now all in 10,000+ capacity stadiums for the first time in NBL history.

Reply #942840 | Report this post


JCK98  
Earlier this year

> Is the BEC city central enough to get that kind of jump though?

30 minute drive north of Brisbane, better connected to public transport than Nissan Arena though.

Reply #942842 | Report this post


RobT  
Earlier this year

"better connected to public transport than Nissan Arena though."
Good news for me. Thanks.

Reply #942843 | Report this post


Anonymightymouse  
Earlier this year

Bullets: We're moving to a bigger venue going to get huge crowds!

NBL: Oh yeah? Here, have a bunch of home games at 6.30pm on weekdays

Reply #942868 | Report this post


Ben  
Earlier this year

Anonmm makes a very valid point. 6:30pm weekday tips in Brisbane f***ing suck.

There are massive traffic chokepoints around the BEC on weekday arvos, getting there by road would be an incredible headache. Plus Brisbane has traditionally fared poorly with attendances on a school night, regardless of start time.

I haven't seen the Bullets home schedule yet, but for their sake hope 6:30pm starts are at an absolute minimum otherwise.

Be cool if the NBL allowed Brisbane to start at 7:30pm. Heck, even 7pm. Doubt they'll pull their head out of the sand but.

Reply #942911 | Report this post


koberulz  
Earlier this year

It's done in order to keep the TV start times consistent.

Reply #942912 | Report this post


Ben  
Earlier this year

Yeah aware of that, but done so at obvious risk of cannibalising attendance at games.

Wouldn't be an issue if QLD got with the times and reintroduced daylight savings :|

Reply #942915 | Report this post




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