7th September 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge
From the 2027 season, Big V will become the Victorian Basketball League - a new identity that honours the competition's proud history while strengthening its place within a connected Victorian basketball pathway.
Melbourne, VICTORIA – The 2026 Big V season officially came to a close on Saturday night, with the Awards Night celebrating the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and clubs who made it one to remember.
It was also the perfect moment to honour 25 years of Big V, and share what comes next.
From the 2027 season, Big V will become the Victorian Basketball League (VBL), carrying a proud history into an exciting new era for senior representative basketball in Victoria.
For a quarter of a century, Big V has been at the heart of senior representative basketball in Victoria. It has created opportunities for thousands of players, coaches, officials and volunteers, built great rivalries and given clubs and communities across the state moments they will never forget.
That story stretches back even further to the four senior leagues that came together to form Big V and the generations of players, coaches, officials, volunteers and administrators who helped lay the foundations for the competition.
That legacy is not being replaced. It is being strengthened.
A stronger, more connected pathway
The move to VBL creates a clearer identity for Victoria's premier senior community basketball competition and reinforces its connection with the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) and NBL1 South.
Together, these competitions represent different stages of the Victorian basketball journey. Greater alignment will make that pathway easier to understand, strengthen recognition across the Basketball Victoria family and support the continued growth and promotion of the senior league.
It reflects Basketball Victoria's broader vision: Many Channels. One Basketball Victoria.
“Big V has been part of the fabric of Victorian basketball for 25 years. It has brought communities together and created opportunities for thousands of players, coaches, officials and volunteers. The VBL proudly carries that legacy forward, with a strong identity for the future and community still firmly at its heart.” Nick Honey, Chief Executive Officer, Basketball Victoria
What makes the competition special remains
The name and look will evolve, but the heart of the competition will remain the same. The clubs, rivalries, passion, community and pathway opportunities, and the people who give their time and talent to make the league what it is.
From 2027, those foundations will continue under the Victorian Basketball League banner, supported by an identity that better reflects the quality, professionalism and standing of the competition.
“This is a really exciting moment for everyone who has been part of Big V. The clubs, rivalries, passion and people that make this competition special are not changing. The VBL gives us an opportunity to build on that history, lift the way we present and promote the league, and create an even stronger future for senior representative basketball in Victoria.” Greg Jeffers, General Manager - Leagues and Competitions, Basketball Victoria
The next chapter begins
Basketball Victoria will work closely with clubs and associations over the coming months, providing the brand assets, guidelines, communications resources and operational support required for a smooth transition ahead of the 2027 season.
The Basketball Victoria website and competition platforms will also transition to the VBL identity as the new season approaches.
Big V's 25-year story and the history of the leagues that came before it, will always remain an important part of Victorian basketball. The VBL now carries that story forward, proud of where the competition has come from and excited about where it is going next.
-ENDS-
For more from the 2026 season and what’s ahead, visit the website or discover how Together, We Raise The Game is helping create positive basketball environments across Victoria. Or check out the Basketball Victoria website to learn about our competitions, programs and initiatives.
