Port Harcourt Selected as Host for NPBL Playoffs

Port Harcourt has retained hosting rights for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League playoffs, marking the fourth consecutive year the Rivers State capital will stage the competition.

The League Management Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation announced a slight change to the original schedule, moving the Phase Three playoffs from August 22–29 to August 29–September 6.

The eight-team tournament will take place at the Basketball Stadium, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers State.

Teams are expected to arrive on August 29 for pre-tournament technical meetings, while matches will run from August 30 to September 5. All participating teams are scheduled to depart on September 6.

NBBF Vice-President and League Chairman, Babatunde Ogunade, and Secretary-General, Amina Amanchi, congratulated the qualified teams and praised their performances and professionalism throughout the earlier phases of the competition.

The Phase Three field comprises four teams from the Atlantic Conference — Rivers Hoopers, Maktown Flyers, Hoops & Read and Lagos Raptors — and four representatives of the Savannah Conference: Aso Sky Hawks, 313 Warriors, Gboko City Chiefs and Kano Pillars.

The teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the championship ultimately decided by their performances across the final phase.

Six-time champions Rivers Hoopers are stepping up preparations as they seek to reclaim the Nigerian basketball crown.

The Port Harcourt-based side enters the playoffs with an impressive record from the opening two phases, winning four of five games in Phase One before producing a 6-1 record in Phase Two.

Interim head coach Ronald Alalibo has, however, warned that past performances will count for little if the squad fails to maintain the right mentality during the decisive stage of the season.

Alalibo stressed that every player would have an important role to play as the coaching staff works to improve the team’s chemistry, tactical execution and overall readiness.

“It’s very important because at this time, every person is key to our goal in this year’s Basketball Premier League. Everybody is important to us, and everybody needs to be on the ground,” he said.

The coach added that players must approach the competition with complete commitment to the team’s objective.

“Not just being on the ground, you have to come 100 per cent with our set goal in your heart — that we are here to win the league. Everybody needs to work together mentally, physically and otherwise,” Alalibo said.

Hoopers will face fellow Atlantic Conference qualifiers Maktown Flyers, Hoops & Read and Lagos Raptors, as well as Savannah Conference representatives Aso Sky Hawks, 313 Warriors, Gboko City Chiefs and Kano Pillars.

The Port Harcourt side will be particularly determined to regain the title after Maktown Flyers, who competed as Lagos Legends last season, ended Hoopers’ reign as champions.

With the final phase bringing together the strongest teams from both conferences, the Port Harcourt playoffs are expected to provide a competitive conclusion to the 2026 NPBL season.