BAL’s Sixth Season tips off with record 15 global partners
Our Reporters The Basketball Africa League (BAL) officially launched its sixth season at the SunBet Arena in South Africa, buoyed by a record-breaking roster of 15 marketing and merchandising partners
Our Reporters
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) officially launched its sixth season at the SunBet Arena in South Africa, buoyed by a record-breaking roster of 15 marketing and merchandising partners and a global broadcast reach spanning over 200 countries.
The 2026 season opener in Pretoria marks a significant milestone for the league, which has expanded its commercial appeal by welcoming five new high-profile partners: Amazon Web Services (AWS), FLEXX, PUMA, Qatar Foundation, and South African Tourism.
The influx of new sponsors joins a stable of returning foundational and official partners, including the Rwanda Development Board, Wilson, and Afreximbank. BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall noted that the diverse partnership roster reflects the "sustained growth and momentum" of the African sports industry.
"We look forward to working with these amazing companies to engage BAL fans across the continent and around the world in new and creative ways," Fall said.
The partnerships extend beyond simple branding, focusing heavily on infrastructure and community development as PUMA assumes the role of Official Outfitter, supplying all team uniforms and referee apparel.
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While AWS will serve as the Official Technology Provider, integrating cloud AI and machine learning into the league’s operations, Afreximbank continues its support of the "BAL4HER" and "BAL Future Pros" programs, aimed at developing young professional talent in the sports sector.
Wilson returns as a Foundational Partner and Official Game Ball Partner of the BAL
The 2026 season is set to be the league's most accessible yet. Games will be broadcast across all 54 African countries via partners such as Canal+, RTS, and TV5 Monde. Internationally, fans can tune in through NBA TV, the NBA App, and various FAST channels in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
The season structure for 2026 features a 42-game schedule. The Sahara Conference holds between April 24 and May 3 in Rabat, Morocco.
The Kalahari Conference group phase which started yesterday continues through April 5, featuring 12 club teams from 12 different African nations competing for a spot in the May playoffs. The Playoffs and Final is slated for May 22 to May 31 in Kigali, Rwanda.
