The 2025 Basketball Africa League season is set to bring a wave of excitement as it unveils a new home for the Finals and playoffs and commences in a fresh site. This significant development marks a turning point in the history of African basketball. The 2025 BAL playoffs and Finals, scheduled for June 14, 2025, will now take place in Pretoria, South Africa, marking the first time they are not held in Kigali, Rwanda. Additionally, the 2025 BAL season will debut in Rabat, Morocco, on April 5, 2025. This season will feature the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries, playing 48 games in Rabat, Kigali, and Dakar, Senegal, before heading to Pretoria for the playoffs.

Amadou Gallo Fall's Perspective

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall expressed his excitement about the upcoming season. "We have witnessed tremendous growth over the BAL's first four seasons in terms of on-court competition, attendance, and engagement from fans and partners not only in Africa but globally. Our milestone fifth season will build on that momentum and further showcase the level of talent and passion for basketball in Africa. This includes through the first BAL games in Morocco and the first BAL Finals in South Africa."

The Kalahari Conference

The Kalahari Conference group phase is set to take place from April 5 to 13, 2025, in Rabat. This expansion into a new country on the continent is a significant step forward. It will bring more exposure to the sport and help elevate the level of basketball in Africa. The teams competing in this conference will showcase their skills and compete for a spot in the playoffs.

Teams from Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia automatically qualify for the BAL. These national champions bring with them a rich history and a passion for the game. The remaining five teams come from the Road to the BAL qualifying tournaments led by FIBA Africa, adding an element of excitement and competition.

The Sahara Conference

The Sahara Conference group phase will be held from April 26 to May 4, 2025, in Dakar. This conference also plays a crucial role in determining the playoff qualifiers. The teams will battle it out on the court, showcasing their abilities and determination. The competition in this conference is expected to be fierce, with teams vying for a chance to advance to the next stage.

During the 2024 BAL season, Petro de Luanda of Angola made history by becoming the first sub-Saharan African team to win a championship. This achievement has inspired other teams and players across Africa and has raised the profile of the BAL. According to the BAL, the 2024 BAL season reached fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages, setting an attendance record of more than 120,000 fans across the four host countries and generating more than 1.2 billion impressions across NBA and BAL social media channels.

The Nile Conference

The Nile Conference group phase will take place from May 17 to 25, 2025, in Kigali. This conference is another important part of the 2025 BAL season. The teams will compete for their respective conference titles and a spot in the playoffs. The competition in this conference is expected to be intense, with teams from different African countries coming together to showcase their basketball skills.

The 12 teams will once again be divided into three conferences of four teams each, adding to the excitement and competitiveness of the season. Each conference has its own unique challenges and opportunities, and the teams will need to rise to the occasion to make their mark in the playoffs.