NBL Champions List: Every Grand Final Winner Since 1979
Every NBL champion by season from 1979 to 2024–25, the clubs with the most championships, and the title winners that no longer exist.
Updated
The NBL has crowned a champion every season since the league began in 1979. Perth Wildcats lead the way with 10 championships. This page lists every champion to the end of the 2024–25 season.
Most NBL championships
| Club | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Perth Wildcats | 10 | 1990, 1991, 1995, 1999–00, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20 |
| Melbourne United | 6 | 1993, 1997, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2017–18, 2020–21 |
| Sydney Kings | 5 | 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2021–22, 2022–23 |
| Adelaide 36ers | 4 | 1986, 1998, 1998–99, 2001–02 |
| NZ Breakers | 4 | 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15 |
| Brisbane Bullets | 3 | 1985, 1987, 2006–07 |
| Canberra Cannons (defunct) | 3 | 1983, 1984, 1988 |
| Illawarra Hawks | 2 | 2000–01, 2024–25 |
| North Melbourne Giants (defunct) | 2 | 1989, 1994 |
| South East Melbourne Magic (defunct) | 2 | 1992, 1996 |
| St Kilda Saints (defunct) | 2 | 1979, 1980 |
| Launceston Casino City (defunct) | 1 | 1981 |
| South Dragons (defunct) | 1 | 2008–09 |
| Tasmania JackJumpers | 1 | 2023–24 |
| West Adelaide Bearcats (defunct) | 1 | 1982 |
Titles won as the Melbourne Tigers count for Melbourne United, and those won as the Wollongong Hawks count for the Illawarra Hawks. Cairns Taipans and South East Melbourne Phoenix are the current clubs still chasing a first title. (The Phoenix are a different club from the South East Melbourne Magic, who won in 1992 and 1996.)
Every NBL champion by season
| Season | Champion |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Illawarra Hawks |
| 2023–24 | Tasmania JackJumpers |
| 2022–23 | Sydney Kings |
| 2021–22 | Sydney Kings |
| 2020–21 | Melbourne United |
| 2019–20 | Perth Wildcats |
| 2018–19 | Perth Wildcats |
| 2017–18 | Melbourne United |
| 2016–17 | Perth Wildcats |
| 2015–16 | Perth Wildcats |
| 2014–15 | New Zealand Breakers |
| 2013–14 | Perth Wildcats |
| 2012–13 | New Zealand Breakers |
| 2011–12 | New Zealand Breakers |
| 2010–11 | New Zealand Breakers |
| 2009–10 | Perth Wildcats |
| 2008–09 | South Dragons |
| 2007–08 | Melbourne Tigers |
| 2006–07 | Brisbane Bullets |
| 2005–06 | Melbourne Tigers |
| 2004–05 | Sydney Kings |
| 2003–04 | Sydney Kings |
| 2002–03 | Sydney Kings |
| 2001–02 | Adelaide 36ers |
| 2000–01 | Wollongong Hawks |
| 1999–00 | Perth Wildcats |
| 1998–99 | Adelaide 36ers |
| 1998 | Adelaide 36ers |
| 1997 | Melbourne Tigers |
| 1996 | South East Melbourne Magic |
| 1995 | Perth Wildcats |
| 1994 | North Melbourne Giants |
| 1993 | Melbourne Tigers |
| 1992 | South East Melbourne Magic |
| 1991 | Perth Wildcats |
| 1990 | Perth Wildcats |
| 1989 | North Melbourne Giants |
| 1988 | Canberra Cannons |
| 1987 | Brisbane Bullets |
| 1986 | Adelaide 36ers |
| 1985 | Brisbane Bullets |
| 1984 | Canberra Cannons |
| 1983 | Canberra Cannons |
| 1982 | West Adelaide Bearcats |
| 1981 | Launceston Casino City |
| 1980 | St Kilda Saints |
| 1979 | St Kilda Saints |
The NBL was a winter league until 1998, when it moved to a summer season. That year it played two seasons, and the Adelaide 36ers won both.
Dynasties and famous runs
- Perth Wildcats: ten titles, including four in five seasons between 2015–16 and 2019–20, and a run of finals appearances that lasted 35 straight seasons.
- New Zealand Breakers: three in a row from 2010–11 to 2012–13, then a fourth in 2014–15.
- Sydney Kings: a three-peat from 2002–03 to 2004–05, then back-to-back titles in 2021–22 and 2022–23.
- Canberra Cannons: three titles in the 1980s, the most by any club that no longer plays in the league.
- Tasmania JackJumpers: champions in 2023–24, only their third season in the league.
This season's race
Follow who is in the running this year on the live NBL ladder, and read how the finals work to see how the top six become one champion.
Frequently asked questions
Which team has won the most NBL championships?
The Perth Wildcats have won the most NBL championships, with ten titles as of the end of the 2024–25 season.
Who won the 2024–25 NBL championship?
The Illawarra Hawks won the 2024–25 NBL championship, beating Melbourne United in a five-game Grand Final series. It was their second title, after 2000–01.
Who won the first NBL championship?
The St Kilda Saints won the first NBL championship in 1979, and won again in 1980.
Which NBL teams have never won a championship?
Of the current clubs, the Cairns Taipans and South East Melbourne Phoenix had not won an NBL championship as of the end of the 2024–25 season.
Keep reading
- Start hereWhat Is the NBL? A Beginner's Guide to Australia's Basketball League
- Season explainerHow the NBL Season and Finals Work: Ladder, Play-In and Grand Final
- Watch guideHow to Watch the NBL in 2026–27: TV, Streaming and Free-to-Air Games
- ClubsNBL Teams and Arenas: Every Club, City and Home Court
- Rules explainerNBL vs NBA Rules: Every Key Difference Explained
- Program explainerNBL Next Stars: How the NBL Became a Pathway to the NBA Draft
- Stats glossaryBasketball Stats Explained: TS%, eFG%, Game Score, Usage and the Four Factors
- Leagues explainedNBL vs NBL1 vs WNBL: Australian Basketball Leagues Explained