MAC Adelaide Lightning to host WNBL season opener

MAC Adelaide Lightning will kick off the 2017-18 WNBL season with a home game against Sydney Uni at Titanium Security Arena on Friday night, October 6.

Lightning’s 10-game home fixture features four NBL double headers with the Adelaide 36ers, as well as four Saturday and two Friday night games.

MAC Adelaide Lightning General Manager Mandy Spear is pleased with her club’s draw.

“It’s exciting to be chosen to launch the 2017-18 WNBL season in Adelaide and we’re looking forward to hosting some amazing battles,” Spear said.

“The four double headers with the 36ers are sure to be extremely popular with our fans and going to be games that cannot be missed.”

The league have secured an exciting broadcast deal with FOX Sports ensuring one game per round will be broadcast, as well as every finals match shown live through to 2019-20. Broadcast games and times will be available closer to the start of the season.

The WNBL 2017-18 season will also be shortened to a three-month regular season with teams playing 21 games across 13 rounds before finals in January. Similarly to last season, the play offs will feature a best-of-three series across both Semi Finals and the Grand Final.

Head of WNBL Sally Phillips is excited to have the WNBL return to television after a two year absence.

“The league is thrilled that FOX Sports will provide us with a platform to showcase Australia’s longest running elite female competition, a league that will be packed full of globally elite talent,” said Phillips.

“It’s great to see so many Opals heading back to Australia to play; Abby Bishop, Liz Cambage, Jenna O’Hea, Rachel Jarry, Nat Hurst, Katie-Rae Ebzery and Cayla George to name just a few.

Download the MAC Adelaide Lightning schedule here.