Author

Joel Osborne writes

Posted Wednesday, January 31st 2018 @BristolSportJO

British Basketball All-Stars Championship to return in October

Wednesday, January 31st 2018

Matchroom Sport have announced the British Basketball All-Stars Championship will return on Sunday, October 14th at the Copper Box Arena in London.

The All-Stars Championship made its debut last year, with Bristol Flyers advancing all the way to the semi-final stage in front of a packed crowd at the O2 Arena.

The competition features a unique take on the rules, with games being just 12 minutes long with an added All-Star five-point line offering rewards for those willing to brave a shot from distance. Teams also have a two-minute golden buzzer Power Play at their disposal, during which any points scored are doubled.

The tournament will again showcase the best of British basketball talent, with defending champions London Lions joined by the top seven teams from the 2017/18 BBL Championship. Double elimination will be in play to separate the teams from eight down to four ahead of the semi-final stage.

Flyers reached the semi-finals of the competition last season

Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn said: “The inaugural British Basketball All-Stars Championship was a great success last year and was so well received by fans, teams and players alike. The tournament already has a place as a key date in the British Basketball calendar and it’s our job now to grow this fantastic tournament.

“Teams have the opportunity to play for a share of a huge prize fund, with the winners taking home £25,000, players get the chance to showcase their skills in a great arena in front of an excited crowd and a global TV audience, while fans who attended last year will agree that this is a truly unique event with a brilliant atmosphere and an action-packed afternoon of non-stop, exhilarating basketball.”

Bob Hope, British Basketball League, Commercial Director added: “BBL are thrilled that the British Basketball All-Stars Championship is to be staged again later this year and that the event is going to be broadcast extensively on Sky Sports.

“The hugely exciting inaugural event last September achieved great exposure for basketball and drew in new fans to the sport. Furthermore, we are excited to be partnering such a prestigious company as Matchroom Sport once again.”

Who remembers what happened when #BristolFlyers and @NewcastleEagle met in the @AllStars_BB at @TheO2?

Find tickets » https://t.co/xcONavDavG pic.twitter.com/IuzHuFiWf6
— Bristol Flyers (@BristolFlyers) November 23, 2017

Tickets for the 2018 British Basketball All-Stars Championship will be available via www.allstarsbasketball.co.uk with tickets priced at £20, £30 and £40 with courtside hospitality tickets available at £99. Under 18s receive 50% off and family and group discounts will be available.

Previous BBL ticket buyers will be able to access the ticket pre-sale on at midday Monday, February 12th ahead of the general sale at midday on Tuesday, February 13th. Those eligible for the pre-sale will receive an email in due course.