By Emeka Dennar
Port Harcourt has been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year after the League Management Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) announced a slight adjustment to the schedule.
The playoffs, originally scheduled to hold from August 22 to 29, will now take place from August 29 to September 6 at the Basketball Stadium, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers State.
In a communiqué issued over the weekend, NBBF Vice-President and League Chairman Babatunde Ogunade and Secretary-General Amina Amanchi praised the qualified teams for their professionalism and performances throughout the season.
According to the revised schedule, teams are expected to arrive on August 29 for technical meetings ahead of the tournament. Matches will be played from August 30 to September 5, while teams will depart on September 6.
The eight-team round-robin competition will feature Atlantic Conference qualifiers Rivers Hoopers, Maktown Flyers, Hoops & Read and Lagos Raptors, alongside Savannah Conference representatives Aso Sky Hawks, 313 Warriors, Gboko City Chiefs and Kano Pillars.
The decision to retain Port Harcourt as host reinforces Rivers State’s status as a major centre for top-level basketball in Nigeria. It also gives local fans another opportunity to witness elite domestic action after the successful hosting of last year’s playoffs and Final Four at the same venue.
