Tauranga is now the new home to New Zealand's largest prizemoney basketball tournament for the next three years.

The three-day HoopNation tournament is heading to the ASB Arena on Labour Weekend and is relocating from Whanganui where it's been held since 2011.

Co-founder Paul berridge says HoopNation is about providing top-tier and up-and-coming basketballers the chance to showcase their skills – and the move north is due to the annual vent's growth.

'Last year we had 30 teams which played across three courts, but we had to turn away 11 teams because basically we had no space and resources were short.

'Relocating to ASB Arena, a world class facility, will see us run six courts – and so we're anticipating the number to double. Being closer to Auckland will also appeal more to the international teams.”

Paul says the event's popularity is down to its focus on players with the organisers handling all the 'small things” like providing benches, officials, uniforms, strapping, free massage – leaving players to concentrate on their games.

'And the atmosphere we create is like an NBL final four; we've got a huge sound system, live DJ and MC, the games are live-streamed from the playoffs to the finals.

'Overall the package, the carnival atmosphere and treating these players like pros; that's what separates us from the rest,” says Paul.

Last August Paul and fellow co-founder KJ Allen approached Tauranga City Council for assistance under its Major Events Fund.

In December, TCC agreed to provide $90,000 in funding during three years, with the event receiving $40,000 in the first year, $30,000 in the second and $20,000 in the third.

TCC strategic and city events manager Pip Loader says with HoopNation attracting a number of national and international teams, it's an opportunity to showcase Tauranga to these visitors and participants.

'HoopNation had a positive GDP on Whanganui, and the success of the tournament saw it quickly outgrow the facilities there.

'We have impressive facilities for Basketball in Tauranga with the ASB Arena, and this tournament provides an opportunity to showcase this outstanding asset.

'The event has a strong growth plan for the next five years in our city, and we welcome the event to its new home of Tauranga City,” says Pip.