The sixth season of the Basketball Africa League is entering its decisive phase with the playoffs kicking off from May 22 to 31, 2026 at the BK Arena in Kigali, following conferences marked by high attendance and historic performances.
Eight teams are still in contention for the continental title. Among them are Al Ahly SC, Petro de Luanda, Al Ahly Ly, and FUS Rabat. The field is completed by Club Africain, ASC Ville de Dakar, RSSB Tigers, and Dar City.
The quarterfinals will be played in a two-legged, aggregate-point format, before the semifinals and final scheduled for May 31.
The BK Arena, an iconic venue in Kigali, is once again hosting the final phase after the 2024 edition. Prior to the playoffs, the Kalahari and Sahara conferences have already made their mark on the season.
In Pretoria, more than 38,000 spectators attended the games, setting an attendance record for a conference in the competition.
On the field, several performances stood out: Craig Randall II of RSSB Tigers scored 54 points against Dar City, including 11 three-pointers in the same game.
Meanwhile, Damion Baugh of Al Ahly Ly recorded the first triple-double in the competition’s history (11 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists). In Rabat, Zack Lofton of Al Ahly SC sank eight three-pointers in a Sahara conference game.
The playoffs could crown a sixth different champion in six seasons, although Al Ahly SC and Petro de Luanda could become the first clubs to win a second title.
Half of the qualified teams are making their playoff debut. The quarter-final schedule begins on May 22 with Al Ahly SC facing ASC Ville de Dakar, followed by FUS Rabat against RSSB Tigers.
On May 23, Club Africain will face Al Ahly Ly, while Petro de Luanda will play Dar City. The return legs are scheduled for May 25 and 26, before the semi-finals on May 28 and the final on May 31 in
Kigali.
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