Canberra will be thrust back into the NBL's spotlight as preseason tournament host nearly 40 years after the Cannons won the last of their three titles.

The nation's capital will host the NBL Blitz next month, with 10 games across five nights at the renovated AIS Arena from August 27.

The city is home to the Australian Institute of Sport's basketball program that has nurtured the country's swelling crop of NBA players and coaches, while the Capitals have been a WNBL mainstay since 1984.

But there has been no NBL presence since the Cannons, one of the league's original 10 teams, were dissolved in 2003.

The Cannons were runners-up in the inaugural competition and then won titles in 1983, 1984 and 1988 while finishing second in 1989.

Expansion is on the radar of the NBL, which now also runs the WNBL and the city will get its chance to push its case.

"Bringing the NBL Blitz back to Canberra is fantastic," NBL chief executive David Stevenson said.

"We are grateful for the strong support from the ACT Government, our NBL Clubs, Basketball ACT and AIS Arena for making this event possible.

"This event isn't just about elite basketball; it's also a wonderful opportunity for community engagement and to foster the NBL stars of the future, and we encourage everyone to get involved."

The regular season begins on September 18 with Illawarra as defending champions.