The Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 6 Playoffs and Finals officially tipped off Thursday at BK Arena in Kigali, bringing together eight teams from seven African nations for a 10-day battle for the continental title.
The tournament, running from May 22–31, is being broadcast in 214 countries and territories, highlighting the BAL’s growing global influence since its launch in 2021.
Angola’s Petro de Luanda enters the playoffs as the top seed and tournament favorite after becoming the BAL’s most consistent club with six straight playoff appearances. Egyptian giants Al Ahly, champions in 2023, are also among the title contenders, while Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers carry home hopes following a breakout season led by Craig Randall, who set a BAL record with a 54-point game.
The playoffs also feature Club Africain (Tunisia), ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal), Dar City (Tanzania), Al Ahly Ly (Libya), and FUS Rabat (Morocco). This year’s competition includes a record seven former NBA players, among them Hasheem Thabeet, Axel Toupane, and Chasson Randle.
The tournament follows a single-elimination format, with quarterfinals running through May 25 before the final on May 31 at BK Arena.
Beyond basketball, the BAL is once again turning Kigali into a hub of African culture, music, business, and entertainment. Fans at BK Arena will experience halftime performances from artists including Bien, Joshua Baraka, Ariel Wayz, Kivumbi King, Abigail Chams, and Nigerian superstar Olamide, who will headline the final.
The league will also host events such as the BAL Innovation Summit, the BAL4Her women’s basketball initiative, youth literacy activities with Visit Rwanda and NABU, and a new red-carpet experience blending sport, fashion, and entertainment.
With packed arenas, international stars, and a strong cultural showcase, Kigali has once again become the center of African basketball.
