The Freeway Series begins again on Sunday

The Kings swept Illawarra last season to claim the Adrian Hurley Cup. On Sunday, the race to win it again begins at Afterpay Arena.

Sydney and Illawarra have always shared a motorway.

Decades of tight contests and finals battles have turned two clubs separated by the freeway, and the supporters who follow them, into one of the NBL’s fiercest rivalries.

On Sunday, the Freeway Series begins again at Afterpay Arena, with more than one result at stake.

The Kings enter the new season holding the Adrian Hurley Cup after sweeping the Hawks 3–0 in NBL26.

Sydney opened last season’s series with a 98–71 victory in Wollongong before defeating Illawarra 108–84 on Christmas Night. A 122–104 win at Afterpay Arena in January completed the clean sweep and returned the trophy to Sydney.

But a new season brings a new race.

The Freeway Series will be decided across four regular-season meetings, beginning at Afterpay Arena this Sunday.

Four games. One Freeway Series.

Sunday 27 September, 6pm
Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks
Afterpay Arena

Thursday 22 October, 7.30pm
Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings
WIN Entertainment Centre

Friday 4 December, 7.30pm
Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings
WIN Entertainment Centre

Friday 25 December, 7.30pm
Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks
Afterpay Arena

Every result counts towards deciding which club claims the Adrian Hurley Cup. The first opportunity to take control of this season’s series arrives on Sunday.

The Freeway Series brings a different energy to the arena. Hawks supporters make the trip north, Kings fans respond and every possession carries the edge of a rivalry that rarely feels like just another game.

After opening NBL27 against Cairns, the Kings now turn their attention to gaining the first advantage over their closest rivals and building early momentum at home.

The game also launches the Kings’ school-holiday program, with kids going free across all three school-holiday home games. Families can begin the break with one of Australian basketball’s fiercest rivalries and watch the first chapter of this season’s trophy race unfold live.

Be there for the opening game of this season’s Freeway Series.

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