The Sharks made it to the final last year, when they were beaten 88-83 by the Saints, whereas the Nuggets were the worst team in the league. They posted just three wins and endured a 15-game losing streak.
Round 1 is being dubbed the rivalry round, which will feature some traditional rivalries like the Rams against the Giants as well as new ones like the Hawks against the Whai in basketball’s version of the Battle of the Bay.
The Nuggets will host their first game of the season on April 15. It is a Wednesday night fixture against the Giants.
It is the first in a run of three home games that includes clashes with the Whai (April 24) and the Jets (May 1).
That presents the Nuggets with an opportunity to string a few wins together and get the campaign off to a solid start under new coach Jeff Sparrow.
Following the game against the Jets, they do not host another game until the May 31 fixture against the Sharks.
They have six games scheduled for June, including a home game against the Rams on June 13.
That is on a Saturday night and the Otago-Canterbury rivalry usually draws a few more fans.
There is a brutal run at the end where the Nuggets will play three games in six days. It includes a flight back from Auckland to host the Hawks on July 16.
The Nuggets complete their round-robin phase with a game against the Whai on July 22.
A venue has not been locked in for that game, but it will be an away game for the Nuggets.
The playoffs get under way on July 29 with the final slated for August 9.
The defending champion Saints will unfurl the banner when they open their defence in round 1 against the Jets at TSB Arena.
The grand final rematch between the Saints and Sharks is on May 21 in Invercargill.
Otago Nuggets
2026 draw
Round robin: April 10: v Sharks, Invercargill; April 15: v Giants, Dunedin; April 24: v Whai, Dunedin; May 1: v Jets, Dunedin; May 3: v Rams, TBC; May 9: v Hawks, Napier; May 16: v Tuatara, Auckland; May 24: v Giants, Nelson; May 31: v Sharks, Dunedin; June 5: v Bulls, Dunedin; June 6: v Saints, Wellington; June 13: v Rams, Dunedin; June 20: v Airs, Dunedin; June 25: v Jets, Palmerston North; June 27: v Airs, New Plymouth; July 4: v Saints, Dunedin; July 10: v Bulls, Auckland; July 12: v Tuatara, Auckland; July 16: v Hawks, Dunedin; July 22: v Whai, TBC.
Playoffs: July 29-August 2.
Final: August 9.
