2026 BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE PLAYOFFS KICK OFF WITH RECORD 722 MILLION SOCIAL MEDIA VIEWS
The 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs commenced on May 22 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, and will conclude with the Finals on May 31 at 6:00 p.m. CAT. This season marks a significant milestone, with the league’s social media channels amassing over 722 million views, setting a record for group phase play.
Teams Competing in the Playoffs
Eight teams have qualified for the playoffs: Al Ahly (Egypt), Al Ahly Ly (Libya), ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal), Club Africain (Tunisia), Dar City (Tanzania), FUS Rabat (Morocco), 2024 BAL champion Petro de Luanda (Angola), and the RSSB Tigers (Rwanda). The top four teams will advance to the semifinals and Finals, which will be single-elimination games.
Broadcast and Ticket Information
Fans worldwide can livestream the playoffs and Finals on platforms such as NBA.com, the NBA App, and BAL.NBA.com. Tickets for the events are currently available for purchase through the same website.
Key Statistics from the 2026 BAL Season
Several notable statistics highlight the achievements of the 2026 BAL season:
722 Million Views: The BAL’s social media presence has generated over 722 million views this season, marking a record for the group phase.
1,073 Minutes: On April 5, Childe Dundão of Petro de Luanda became the all-time BAL record holder for minutes played, totaling 1,073 minutes across all six seasons.
75,000 Fans: Nearly 75,000 fans attended the Kalahari Conference and Sahara Conference group phases in South Africa and Morocco, respectively, setting attendance records for group phase play in those nations.
1,000% Increase: BAL games have seen a remarkable 1,000% year-over-year increase in total watch time on BAL.NBA.com and the NBA App.
215 Points: In a record-setting game on March 31, Al Ahly Ly and Dar City combined for 215 points, with Al Ahly Ly winning 118-97.
214 Countries: BAL games have reached audiences in 214 countries and territories, including all 54 African nations.
200th Game: The league celebrated its 200th game on April 1, when Petro de Luanda defeated Nairobi City Thunder 97-70.
54 Points: RSSB Tigers guard Craig Randall II set a BAL record by scoring 54 points in a game against Dar City on April 4.
30 Players: Thirty players who participated in FIBA AfroBasket 2025 are competing in the playoffs.
22 Partners: A record 22 marketing, merchandising, and institutional partners have supported the BAL this season, including major brands such as AB InBev, Air Senegal, and PUMA.
11 Teams: Eleven of the 16 teams that competed at FIBA AfroBasket 2025 have at least one player in the playoffs.
8 Former NBA Players: This season features a record eight former NBA players, including Damion Baugh and Donovan Williams from Al Ahly Ly, and Axel Toupane from ASC Ville de Dakar, who is notable for being the first NBA champion to play in the BAL.
5 Players: Five players have participated in all six BAL seasons, showcasing their longevity and commitment to the league.
3 Triple-Doubles: Damion Baugh made history as the first player to record a triple-double in his first BAL season, achieving 11 points, 10 assists, and 11 rebounds in a game against Dar City on April 4.
2 Double-Overs: On May 3, Al Ahly defeated FUS Rabat 77-71 in the second double-overtime game in BAL history.
About the Basketball Africa League
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa, established through a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa. The league, headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, builds on the foundation of club competitions organized by FIBA Africa and represents the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside North America.
Fans can follow the BAL on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and YouTube, and can register for updates on BAL.NBA.com.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-05-25 21:29:00 • By the Editorial Desk
