Prawns on the barbie, the annual pilgrimage to the grandparents' beach house, and the inevitable groan at a cracker's terrible joke. These are the hallmarks of an Australian Christmas. Yet, one festive fixture consistently sparks debate: does competitive sport have a rightful place on December 25th?
A Festive Tradition or a Family Intrusion?
For many Australians, the answer is a resounding yes. The vision of a post-lunch food coma, shared on the couch with relatives in a rare moment of unified cheering, is a cherished seasonal image. This is far from a new phenomenon. While the iconic Boxing Day Test at the MCG technically falls on December 26th, the entire festive week is often bundled together as a continuous period of celebration and, for many, sporting indulgence.
The first ball bowled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground remains a core memory for generations, with last year's crowd of over 80,000 spectators a testament to its enduring appeal. The tradition of holiday sport, however, is no longer confined to the cricket pitch.
The NBL's Christmas Court Rivalry
Basketball has firmly planted its sneakers on Christmas Day. While the NBA's festive tradition dates back to 1947, Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) is now in its fourth year of hosting Christmas night games. This season, the spotlight falls on the fierce freeway rivalry between the Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks.
For the Hawks, this marks the third consecutive season they have been scheduled to play on December 25th, while much of the league enjoys a holiday break. Sydney Kings forward Xavier Cooks is a vocal advocate for the festive fixture.
"Christmas means different things to different people, and everyone's traditions are unique," Cooks told Fox Sports. "By having a Christmas night game, we can give people another option and help kickstart a new tradition."
He emphasised the significance of playing the Hawks, citing their longstanding rivalry as a way to "settle it on the court" and provide a thrilling capstone to the holiday. Cooks believes the league has successfully adopted and localised the American concept, creating a new Australian sporting ritual during a period already packed with action.
Hawks Look to Continue Christmas Winning Streak
The Illawarra Hawks will be hoping history repeats itself. Last year, they secured a nail-biting 111-108 road victory against the Kings. The previous Christmas in 2023, they also emerged victorious with a 94-90 win. The team was not part of the league's inaugural Christmas clash in 2022, which featured Sydney against Melbourne.
The big question for fans is whether the Hawks can deliver another classic spectacle, especially considering their recent form leading into the holiday blockbuster. This game represents the second of four scheduled clashes between the two rivals this season, adding extra weight to the festive encounter.
Ultimately, the debate over sport on Christmas Day reflects the evolving nature of Australian traditions. For some, it's an unwelcome commercial intrusion. For others, it's the perfect communal activity for a day of celebration. As Xavier Cooks suggests, it offers another option, allowing families and friends to potentially forge a new tradition—one filled with the shared tension and joy only live sport can provide.
