WANGARATTA'S $12.9 million basketball facility renovation will play centre stage for a match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Brisbane Bullets in a pre-season clash ahead of the Hungry Jack’s NBL25 season, set for Thursday, August 29.

Some 900 local residents will be treated to the matchup between two of the most rejuvenated rosters in the competition, with this fixture the first time the likes of Derrick Walton Jr, Joe Wieskamp, Next Star Malique Lewis and a host of other recruits first feature for the Phoenix.

It will also be the first time Nathan Sobey faces his former team, after a long and storied career with the Bullets ended with his trade to the Phoenix in the off-season.

South East Melbourne CEO Tommy Greer said the game would be another opportunity for the Phoenix to get in front of a regional audience and showcase the game across Victoria.

“We’ve had great success heading regionally out to Traralgon, and this is another brilliant chance to get in front of a crowd that may not have the opportunity to watch elite sport regularly,” Greer said.

“This game also forms a huge part of our pre-season preparations so expect a highly-competitive, highly-entertaining bout between the two teams.”

Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre recently had its basketball stadium redeveloped in a $12.9 million collaboration between the State Government and the Rural City of Wangaratta.

Rural City of Wangaratta's Mayor, Dean Rees, is thrilled that this game will be part of the official stadium opening.

“Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre is proud to unveil our new premium show court to our local community and host this NBL pre-season game," Cr Rees said.

"Basketball continues to grow in popularity in the region, and this game will contribute to its growth.”

Wangaratta Basketball Inc president Adam Maher said the community has been waiting for the facility upgrade and more benefits that are going to drive basketball in the area.

"This has been a fantastic relationship to build between Phoenix and Wangaratta Basketball which has eventuated in the organisation of this event," he said.

"It's a great way to open the stadium up to showcase what it can offer at multiple levels from domestic, representative, Basketball Victoria events, and National Basketball League games.

"It's a really big thing and it has been a while since something of this nature and this calibre has been in country Victoria.

"There are many athletes that come out of regional and country areas so this is a great way to show the kids that there is a big light at the end of the tunnel if they work hard and get all the way to this level."

The match is expected to attract people from across the region and will save people the three-hour trip down the freeway.

Tickets for the game between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Brisbane Bullets will go on sale via Ticketek on August 1.