Basketball Australia is excited to announce that the Foot Locker Under 20 & Ivor Burge National Championships will continue in the City of Ballarat at Selkirk Stadium with an extension until 2027, thanks to support from the Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund.
The Battle of Ballarat will continue in the regional Victorian city and provide a continuation for one of Australia’s elite junior tournaments.
“We’ve had a fantastic relationship with the City of Ballarat since shifting the Foot Locker Under 20 & Ivor Burge National Championships in 2024, and it is fantastic to also align with Visit Victoria and their aspirations to continue Regional Victoria as a hotspot for hosting elite sporting events,” said Matt Scriven, CEO of Basketball Australia.
“The event continues to grow every year, with the number of people attending these tournaments continuing to exceed previous levels. The level of talent competing also continues to elevate each year. A majority of the current Boomers, Opals cohort, as well as college and professional representatives played in this tournament. So it’s fantastic to have the support of the Victorian Government to extend Ballarat until 2027.”
Household names like Josh Giddey, Cayla George, Ezi Magbegor, Dyson Daniels and many more have represented their origin with pride in the history of the tournament.
The U20 summit provides a formative proving ground for the athletes and a pathway as they assess potential college or professional options.
It also provides an essential pathway for the Australian Pearls and Boomerangs ID national teams with the Ivor Burge National Championships used to assess talent and scout for talent in the VIRTUS World Championship cycle.
Mayor Tracey Hargreaves, City of Ballarat provided insights on the extension and role of the Foot Locker U20 National & Ivor Burge Championships in Ballarat’s events portfolio.
“We pride ourselves as a sports events destination here in Ballarat and we look forward to once again welcoming the best young basketball players in Australia for what promises to be a showcase of some brilliant talent,” she said.
“Events like this offer more than just great competition. They bring people into our city, support local businesses, highlight our excellent sporting facilities and add to the diverse calendar of experiences Ballarat has to offer.
“I encourage our residents to head along to Selkirk Stadium to watch next year’s event and experience a great spectacle.”
The Foot Locker Under 20 & Ivor Burge National Championships will occur from January to February in 2027 with men’s and women’s divisions across the U20 and Ivor Burge classifications.
In 2025, Basketball Australia launched the 3x3 Champs as a standalone competition and pathway for the Australian Gangurrus 3x3 teams with U23 and U17 divisions. A West Australian team won out in the U23 division and represented Perth on the 3x3 World Tour in Shibuya in April.
More information on the evolution of the 3x3 Champs tournament and format will be announced shortly.
For more information on the tournament, click here.
This event is supported by the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria.
For more information on the activities and events, head to Visit Ballarat.
