The 2026 Basketball Africa League Playoffs Kick Off
KIGALI, Rwanda – The highly anticipated 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs commenced on May 22 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, and are set to conclude with the thrilling BAL Finals on May 31. This season has been nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing remarkable talent and intense competition as eight teams vie for the championship title. The teams that have qualified for this prestigious event include Al Ahly from Egypt, Al Ahly Ly from Libya, ASC Ville de Dakar from Senegal, Club Africain from Tunisia, Dar City from Tanzania, FUS Rabat from Morocco, the 2024 BAL champions Petro de Luanda from Angola, and the RSSB Tigers from Rwanda. The playoffs will feature a single-elimination format where the top four teams will advance to the semifinals and ultimately the Finals. For a complete schedule of the games, you can click here.
Remarkable Statistics and Achievements from the BAL Season
The 2026 BAL season has been characterized by impressive statistics that highlight its growth and popularity. Heading into the playoffs, the BAL's social media channels have achieved a staggering **722 million views**, setting a record for group phase play. Additionally, Petro de Luanda's Childe Dundão made history by becoming the all-time BAL record holder for minutes played, amassing an impressive **1,073 minutes** over the course of six seasons. Attendance has also soared, with nearly **75,000 fans** attending the Kalahari and Sahara Conference group phases in South Africa and Morocco, respectively, marking a record for group phase play in those regions.
The league has witnessed a remarkable **1,000%** year-over-year increase in total watch time on BAL.NBA.com and the NBA App, demonstrating the growing interest in African basketball. In a standout game on March 31, Al Ahly Ly and Dar City combined to set a BAL record by scoring **215 points**, with Al Ahly Ly clinching a victory at **118-97**. The league's reach is impressive as it connects fans across **214 countries and territories**, including all 54 nations in Africa. Moreover, the BAL commemorated its **200th** game on April 1, when Petro de Luanda triumphed over Nairobi City Thunder with a score of **97-70**. Individual performances have also shone brightly, with RSSB Tigers guard Craig Randall II scoring a BAL-record **54 points** in a match against Dar City, and **thirty** players from the recent FIBA AfroBasket 2025 are participating in the playoffs.
This season has been bolstered by a record **22** marketing, merchandising, and institutional partners, including notable names such as AB InBev, Afreximbank, and PUMA. Additionally, **eleven** of the sixteen teams that participated in the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 have at least one player competing in the playoffs. The BAL has also welcomed the talent of **eight** former NBA players this season, including Damion Baugh and Donovan Williams from Al Ahly Ly, and Axel Toupane from ASC Ville de Dakar, who is the first NBA champion to play in the BAL after winning the 2021 title with the Milwaukee Bucks.
As the playoffs progress, exciting moments continue to unfold, including Baugh making history as the first player in BAL history to achieve a **triple-double** in his inaugural season, with a performance that included **11 points, 10 assists, and 11 rebounds** in a victory over Dar City. Furthermore, on May 3, Al Ahly faced off against FUS Rabat in the **second** double-overtime game in BAL history, showcasing the competitive spirit of this league. Fans can follow all the action of the Finals via the BAL website, accessible here.
As reported by about.fiba.basketball.
