An Australian professional sporting first will take place this year when NBL rivals Sydney and Melbourne play a fixture on Christmas Day.

The historic meeting between two of the league’s biggest clubs is locked in, with the defending champions to face bitter rivals United in a prime time Sunday evening timeslot on Christmas night.

The NBL said sports fans across Australia and New Zealand were wanting live sport on Christmas, with a fixture on December 25 the norm in the NBA in the United States.

A Christmas Eve game between Adelaide and South East Melbourne is also scheduled, with both fixtures broadcast on ESPN and Network 10.

Breakfast host Gareth Parker and 6PR sports broadcaster Tania Armstrong were divided over professional sport played on Christmas.

“This is huge in other parts of the world but it’s so far been avoided in Australia,” Armstrong said.

Tap PLAY to hear their chat and the wider impact of the Xmas fixture