The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has officially announced an exhilarating kickoff for its sixth season, set to begin on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa. The anticipation is palpable, as fans eagerly await the thrilling BAL Finals, scheduled for Sunday, May 31, at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.
This season promises to be a grand showcase of talent, featuring 12 elite club teams representing 12 African countries. Across three thrilling host cities—Pretoria, Rabat in Morocco, and Kigali—42 explosive games are set to unfold, bringing together the best of African basketball in a series of nail-biting encounters.
New Conference Format
A highlight of the 2026 season is the introduction of a new two-conference structure. Teams will be categorized into the Kalahari Conference and the Sahara Conference, each consisting of six teams. This fresh format adds an exciting layer of competition, ensuring that fans will witness diverse matchups throughout the season.
The group phase will be structured around a 15-game schedule, where each team competes against every other team in its conference once. The Kalahari Conference will host its matches from March 27 through April 5 in Pretoria, while the Sahara Conference will take to the court from April 24 to May 3 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat. The intensity will culminate in the playoffs, scheduled in Kigali from May 22-31, where eight teams will vie for glory. Excited fans can already register their interest in tickets online at BAL.NBA.com.
League Leadership Weighs In
Amadou Gallo Fall, the BAL President, expressed his enthusiasm about returning to South Africa, Morocco, and Rwanda for the new season. He noted, “This speaks to the strong sporting cultures and rapidly growing basketball ecosystems in those countries.” Fall emphasized that the BAL continues to inspire basketball fans across the continent while providing global visibility for African talent. He is eager to showcase the vibrant energy of the league both on and off the court.
FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave also highlighted the league’s impact, stating that the BAL is elevating the game across the region. He praised the league for expanding access to competitive basketball, noting that the Road to the BAL remains a vital pathway for aspiring athletes. The momentum entering this sixth season is a testament to the league’s profound influence on players, clubs, and communities alike.
Beyond Basketball
The BAL aims to enrich its offerings beyond the basketball court by integrating diverse elements of African culture, including music, fashion, and entertainment. The league plans to host capital events featuring appearances from prominent celebrities and influencers, creating an immersive experience for fans.
Moreover, the BAL has committed to social impact initiatives in collaboration with various organizations. Programming will encompass activities across seven nations, including the host countries and others like Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. Initiatives will range from youth coaching clinics to workshops promoting gender equality in sports through the BAL4HER campaign. The league also aims to contribute to literacy and educational efforts while facilitating media networking events.
Returning as a founding partner, the Rwanda Development Board is joined by an array of sponsors, including Afreximbank, Air Senegal, Amazon Web Services, Castle Lite, the French Embassy in Senegal, and RwandAir, all playing a pivotal role in supporting the league’s objectives and outreach.
Building on Historic Success
The 2025 season was historic, with Libya’s Alahli Tripoli emerging as the first Libyan team to win the BAL Finals championship on June 14, 2025. This remarkable victory placed them alongside previous champions from Angola, Egypt, and Tunisia, highlighting the growing competitive nature of the league.
Last season alone reached audiences across 214 countries and territories, broadcast in 17 languages, and achieved an impressive attendance record exceeding 140,000 fans. Additionally, the league’s social media platforms gathered over 1.2 billion impressions, showcasing the profound interest in African basketball.
As the anticipation builds, the BAL will announce the participating teams for the 2026 season and provide further details in the near future, ensuring that fans remain engaged and excited for what lies ahead in this thrilling chapter of African basketball.
