The Australian Boomers are in advanced discussions to host Canada for a two-game exhibition series in August, sources told ESPN, as part of preparations for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
The series would bring a wave of NBA talent to Australian soil, headlined by two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, ahead of one of the two major tournaments on the international basketball calendar.
The Boomers feature the likes of Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, and Jock Landale, while Canada's roster includes Gilgeous-Alexander, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dillon Brooks, and Luguentz Dort, among others. Canada is coached by Gordon Herbert, who led Germany to the 2023 World Cup title and is currently at the helm of the NBL's New Zealand Breakers.
The games are contingent on both teams qualifying for the World Cup, with the plan for both squads to stop in Australia en route to Qatar. The Boomers are undefeated in the Asian qualifiers, and Canada has won all of its games in the Americas qualifiers. Both qualifying windows remain ongoing, but the overwhelming expectation is that both nations will secure their spots.
The World Cup, held every four years, is scheduled for August 27 to September 12 in Qatar.
The two nations met in the group stage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Canada pulled away late for a 93-83 win in Lille. RJ Barrett had 24 points for Canada, while Giddey led the Boomers with 19 points.
The exhibition games between Australia and Canada would take place in mid-August, with the host city still to be determined; negotiations remain active with multiple state governments with regard to where the two contests will be played, sources said.
The series would also see Giddey go up against Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort, his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates. Giddey spent his first three NBA seasons alongside the pair after the Thunder drafted him with the No. overall 6 pick in 2021, before being traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2024.
Basketball Australia is also already in early talks regarding a home exhibition series ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, sources said, with Greece, France, Spain, and Germany among the potential opponents being targeted.
The Boomers finished sixth at the 2024 Paris Olympics, while Canada placed fifth.
Canada is no stranger to pre-World Cup preparation in Australia. Ahead of the 2019 World Cup, it played five exhibition games in the country, including a two-game series against the Boomers at Perth's RAC Arena, two games against the New Zealand Tall Blacks in Sydney, and a matchup against Team USA at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena.
That same summer, Team USA visited for a two-game series against the Boomers at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium. Australia won the second game 98-94, its first ever victory over the Americans, in front of 52,079 fans, which was the largest crowd to watch a basketball game in Australia. More than 103,000 fans attended across those two nights, with that turnout underlying the commercial pull of marquee international basketball events; it explains why multiple state governments are now vying to host the Canada series.