IN A NUTSHELL
- Basketball Africa League returns for its sixth season in 2026
- The opening games will be hosted in Pretoria at SunBet Arena from 27 March to 05 April
- The season will conclude with the Finals in Kigali on 31 May
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) returns for its sixth season, and this time South Africa gets the opening tip-off.
The opening games will be hosted here in South Africa at SunBet Arena in Pretoria from 27 March to 05 April before the competition travels across the continent and wraps up with the Finals at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on 31 May.
Last season saw Al Ahli Tripoli lift the 2025 title after defeating Petro de Luanda 88 to 67 in the championship game. The 2026 edition will once again bring together 12 of the top club teams from across the continent, representing 12 African countries and competing in 42 games across three host cities.
The opening Kalahari Conference group phase will take place in Pretoria, while the Sahara Conference will move to Rabat, Morocco from 24 April to 03 May at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex. The top eight teams from both conferences will then advance to the Playoffs and Finals in Kigali from 22 to 31 May.
Among the teams competing this year are newcomers including Dar City, JCA Kings, Maktown Flyers, Johannesburg Giants and Club Africain. Also returning are established champions like Petro de Luanda, the only team to have qualified for all six seasons, and Al Ahly, winners of the 2023 title.
Beyond the court, fans attending the games can expect more than just basketball. Each host city will feature a mix of music, fashion and lifestyle experiences, with appearances from African celebrities and influencers. The league will also continue its basketball development and community initiatives across host cities and key markets including Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal.
Tickets for all local games are available via Ticketmaster.
