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By Joe Apu
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has confirmed that its sixth season will begin on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, and conclude with the BAL Finals on Sunday, May 31 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.
The season will feature 12 club teams from 12 African countries, split into two conferences of six teams each. The Kalahari Conference will run from March 27 to April 5 in Pretoria, while the Sahara Conference will take place from April 24 to May 3 in Rabat, Morocco. The top eight teams will advance to the Playoffs in Kigali, from May 22 to May 31. Fans can register for tickets at BAL.NBA.com.
BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall highlighted the league’s growth, saying, “Returning to South Africa, Morocco, and Rwanda reflects the strong basketball culture in these countries. We look forward to showcasing incredible competition and energy on and off the court.”
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The season will also celebrate African culture, featuring music, fashion, and entertainment, alongside basketball development programs in host countries and across Africa, including youth clinics, literacy initiatives, and BAL4HER programs promoting gender equality in sports.
Rwanda Development Board returns as a foundational partner, with additional support from Afreximbank, Air Senegal, Amazon Web Services, Castle Lite, the French Embassy in Senegal, and RwandAir.
Last season, Alahli Tripoli of Libya became the first Libyan team to win the BAL Finals. The 2025 season reached fans in 214 countries, drew over 140,000 spectators, and generated 1.2 billion social media impressions. The 12 teams for 2026 will be announced later.
