Professional basketball comes to Hamilton when the Hamilton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League host the Edmonton Stingers to open their inaugural season on Sunday, May 12 at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

Modelled after top international professional leagues, the CEBL is comprised of original six teams in Hamilton, Edmonton, Guelph, St. Catharines, Abbotsford, and Saskatoon. Each team plays 10 home and 10 road games using FIBA (International Basketball Federation) rules, and player and referee standards set by Canada Basketball. Rosters will be comprised of at least 70 percent Canadian players, many playing professionally in North America and overseas during the traditional basketball season.

“The people of Hamilton and the surrounding communities are going to experience world class basketball and affordable family-friendly entertainment at all 10 events at FirstOntario Centre,” said John Lashway, President of the Honey Badgers. “Canada is an emerging power on the international basketball stage with more than 160 players playing professionally around the world, and 100 players competing in the
NCAA. Now fans will have a chance to see many of them play here at home in the CEBL. Because we’ll be playing FIBA rules the action on the court will be non-stop. The entertainment will begin 90 minutes before each game and last until well after the final whistle. This will be a whole new basketball experience.”

Season tickets range in price from $160 to $765 and go on sale later in November on Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner of the CEBL. Fans will be able to visit www.ticketmaster.ca or the Ticketmaster app for the widest selection of verified tickets.

The Honey Badgers will honour all mothers at its inaugural game as the showdown with Edmonton falls on Mother’s Day. The club has a number of special nights planned throughout the season, including ‘Youth Sports Night’ on May 18 versus Saskatchewan, ‘Hamilton Night’ on May 29 versus Fraser Valley, and ‘Country Night’ on July 27 versus Saskatchewan.