The 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs and Finals will take center stage at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa from Friday, June 6 to Saturday, June 14, marking the first time the event is hosted in the country. Featuring the top eight teams from April and May’s group phases in Rabat, Dakar, and Kigali, this year’s postseason promises elite-level competition and historic moments for African basketball.

The eight qualifying teams include No. 1 seed AlAhli Tripoli (Libya; 6-0), No. 2 seed Al Ittihad (Egypt; 6-0), No. 3 seed US Monastir (Tunisia; 4-2), No. 4 seed Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria; 4-2), No. 5 seed Petro de Luanda (Angola; 3-3), No. 6 seed Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (Rwanda; 3-3), No. 7 seed Kriol Star (Cape Verde; 3-3), and No. 8 seed FUS de Rabat (Morocco; 2-4).

BAL Playoffs to feature record-breaking season milestones

Fans and analysts alike have praised the league’s continued growth, with the 2025 season producing a range of milestone achievements. BAL games were viewed over 2.7 million times on YouTube, a 69% increase year-over-year, including a record-setting 168,000 viewers for the May 22 matchup between APR and MBB. On the ground, attendance across the three group phases reached 111,008, including three sold-out openers.

Economically, the BAL has made a massive contribution, generating over $250 million for Africa’s GDP since its 2021 inception. Nearly 37,000 jobs have been linked to the league’s games, and 2,347 youth and community members were engaged through social impact programs during this season alone.

Star power and stats drive global reach of BAL

With 156 players from 28 countries and broadcast coverage in 214 countries in 17 languages, the league continues to grow its international presence. Standout individual performances have defined this season, such as Teafale Lenard Jr.’s 39-point game, Peter Olisemeka’s 17 rebounds, and Childe Dundao’s 13 assists. Records were also set in blocked shots and three-pointers by Aliou Diarra (8 blocks) and Jean-Jacques Boissy (8 threes), respectively.

Kriol Star made history by winning two overtime games in one season, while longtime powerhouses US Monastir and Petro de Luanda continue to uphold their elite status, each participating in all five BAL seasons to date.