Things to know ahead of the 2026 BAL Finals

It’s all set for the 2026 BAL Playoffs, and we bring you the things you need to know about the eagerly awaited event.

What are the 2026 BAL playoffs about?

Following 30 games across the Kalahari and Sahara conferences in March and April, four teams were eliminated, leaving eight to compete for the 2026 BAL title. 

This is the sixth season of the league since its inception in 2021. For the first time, two contenders have the opportunity to win the trophy for the second time.

Who are the eight contenders?

Of the eight playoff teams, four are making their debut in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), three have previously reached the playoffs and one has reached the postseason for the first time after falling short in the conference stages last year.

Al Ahly SC of Egypt won the BAL title in their debut season in 2023, and the following year, Angola’s Petro de Luanda won it. Both teams won their BAL titles in Kigali, Rwanda.

Libya’s Al Ahly Ly finished second in 2024, while Moroccan giants FUS Rabat are appearing in the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Meanwhile, Rwanda's RSST Tigers, Tanzania's Dar City and Tunisia's Club Africain are appearing in the league for the first time, while Senegal's ASC Ville de Dakar have reached the playoffs for the first time since their debut in 2025.  

When are the games taking place?

The 12 games will take place between Friday 22 and Sunday 31 May.

There will be seven game days, with no BAL action on 26, 29 and 30 May.

Where are the games being played?

The BAL Playoffs are returning to the iconic BK Arena for the first time since 2024. The 2025 BAL Playoffs were hosted by the South African city of Pretoria.

What is the competition system?

The Playoffs matchups see higher-ranked teams take on lower-ranked teams, with the No. 1 team facing the No. 8 team, the No. 2 team facing the No. 7 team, the No. 3 team facing the No. 6 team, and the No. 4 team facing the No. 5 team.

In the quarterfinals, teams will play a two-game series, with the team that registers the highest aggregate points advancing to the semi-finals.

How can you watch the games?

Tickets are available to purchase via the BAL.NBA.com website. Fans can also register on the website to watch the games live.

Key notes ahead of the 2026 BAL playoffs  

-           Over the past five seasons, the BAL has produced five different champions, raising the question of whether there will be a sixth or if either Al Ahly SC or Petro de Luanda will become the first two-time champions.

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