The ACT government will use the Canberra Capitals as a Civic experiment before deciding if it will build major sporting infrastructure in the city in the coming years.
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The Capitals will play their first game at the National Convention Centre when the WNBL season starts with a clash against the Bendigo Spirit on Friday night.
The government invested $250,000 in a new court at the convention centre and backboards from the Netherlands in the hope of engaging fans in the city.
The government is weighing up plans to build a $300 million rectangular stadium with a roof on the site of the Civic Pool as well as a new convention centre or an indoor multi-purpose arena.
A decision on new venues is unlikely before the Australian Sports Commission finalises its asset review and national sports plan, with the government considering an option to buy Canberra Stadium and the AIS Arena.
ACT sport minister Yvette Berry said: "The Capitals are really a pilot for sport in the city.
"They're the first Canberra team to play in the city and it's appropriate they're the first as the most successful women's team.
"A lot of work has been done to bring the convention centre to life and this will be a real example of what it's like to play in the middle of the city."
The Capitals are hoping to attract a sell-out crowd of almost 1700 for their opening game and unveiled veteran Natalie Hurst as the club's new captain on Tuesday.
The size of the convention centre is perfect for basketball, but court dimension and height of the roof means it is unable to host netball or volleyball.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said last week the government could opt to build an indoor-outdoor arena or a specific arena in the city to cater for indoor sports, functions and exhibitions.
Berry says officials will monitor the Capitals games and hope to see greater fan engagement after shifting home games from Tuggeranong to Civic.
The convention centre has a smaller capacity than the AIS Arena, but is the ideal size for WNBL matches.
The basketball court will sit permanently below a layer of carpet, allowing the venue to host concerts, functions or exhibitions.
"To get into a venue like this is something I never thought would happen in my time at the Capitals," Hurst said.
It is hoped having sporting events close to the city will help attract fans given the established restaurants and bars close by.
However, the government could opt to bulldoze invest in Canberra Stadium upgrades to host professional rugby league, rugby union and soccer if a stadium in the city is too expensive.
But the plans will hinge on the impending sports commission decision, with an announcement on the AIS Arena and Canberra Stadium future likely to be delayed until next year.
Meanwhile, Berry says the government is still keen to forge a partnership with an existing A-League club to bring professional soccer to the capital.
There was a proposal to have the Wellington Phoenix play a home game in Canberra this season as part of a capital partnership between the cities.
But the deal fell over because of costs and Berry says any A-League content in Canberra will rely on a club being willing to play in the capital.
"It has to come with some momentum, it can't just be the ACT government funding the A-League," Berry said.
"We're concentrating on what we've got already with the Capitals, Canberra United, the ACT Brumbies and the Raiders. We'll consider other proposals if they come our way."
