Basketball Australia has struck a deal with the ACT government to bring the Opals to the capital for a clash with China at the AIS Arena on September 19.

The deal will be announced on Monday morning in what Basketball Australia's head of women in basketball Lauren Jackson says is a major coup for the sport in the ACT.

Canberra basketball fans packed out the AIS Arena when 4817 people watched the Capitals clinch the WNBL championship in February.

Now they have been rewarded with the Opals' third appearance in Canberra in the past 20 years - and it could give them an early look at Capitals fan favourite Marianna Tolo ahead of the WNBL season.

Tolo is on the comeback trail from minor foot surgery and should be fit for the FIBA Asia Cup beginning in India on September 24.

Canberra fans will soon be hoping she can beat the clock and suit up for one of Australia's final tune-up games to catch a glimpse of the Capitals star.

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"The Opals are still one of the best women's basketball teams globally and we continue to boast some of the best players in the world," Jackson said.

"It is remarkable to see them in action on Australian courts, in the lead up to such big international events.

"The AIS Arena in Canberra is the perfect location to show our Opals the support they deserve before they enter the next part of phase of preparations before Tokyo.

"On a personal note, from playing with the Opals in the nation's capital in 2006 and those grand final experiences with the Capitals, I know just how inspiring it is to see and hear the support of Canberra."

Former Opals coach Carrie Graf says the chance to see the third-ranked Australian outfit take on seventh-ranked China is sure to have basketball fans hanging from the rafters at the AIS Arena.

"We know that Canberra gets behind great sporting events with a lot of passion and support and this will be no exception," Graf said.

"Our city will get to see some of the best Australian international basketball talent under one roof."

The return of the Opals will open a blockbuster summer of international sport in Canberra with the Socceroos set to return to the ACT in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nepal on October 10.

Football Federation Australia chiefs are working to secure a date for the Matildas to play at Canberra Stadium after their initial plans for a match in November were scuppered by a ground hire clash with the Crusty Demons' world tour.

Australia's men's and women's cricket teams will host matches at Manuka Oval this season in a summer rounded out by five women's Twenty20 World Cup games.