The quest for the 2026 National Basketball League (NBL) crowns gets underway on Friday at YMCA Court, Wandegeya, with Uganda’s top clubs beginning a high-stakes postseason where every game carries added significance.
After four months of regular-season action, the league now enters its decisive phase, with the top eight men’s and women’s teams battling for places in the semifinals.
The playoffs were pushed from June to July following adjustments to the competition calendar to accommodate Uganda’s national team commitments, including the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers.
Unlike the marathon regular season, the quarterfinals will be contested over a best-of-three series, leaving little room for recovery. Two victories will be enough to secure progression, making every opening game crucial.
Top seeds Namuwongo Blazers in the men’s category and JT Lady Jaguars in the women’s division enter the playoffs with the best records after both finished the regular season with 20 wins and just two defeats. Their challenge now is to convert that dominance into championship success.
Friday’s action begins with the women’s quarterfinal between Magic Stormers and Pearl Queens before attention shifts to the men’s contest between UCU Canons and Victoria Crocs. The evenly matched sides each finished with a 12-10 record, setting up what promises to be one of the most competitive quarterfinal series.
The playoff schedule continues on Saturday with UCU Lady Canons taking on KIU Rangers and KCCA Leopards facing UPDF Lady Tomahawks.
The day’s marquee fixture pits regular-season leaders JT Lady Jaguars against reigning champions JKL Lady Dolphins in a heavyweight clash that could shape the women’s title race.
In the men’s competition, Rezlife Saints will battle Sommet, while former champions City Oilers begin another bid for the title against KCCA Panthers after also posting 20 regular-season victories.
Sunday will see Namuwongo Blazers open their campaign against JT Jaguars, while Victoria Crocs and UCU Canons renew their rivalry in Game Two of their series. The women’s return fixtures involving Pearl Queens, Magic Stormers, KIU Rangers, UCU Lady Canons, JKL Lady Dolphins and JT Lady Jaguars will also take centre stage.
The quarterfinal winners will progress to the best-of-five semifinals, scheduled to start on August 21, before the championship finals tip off on September 11 in a best-of-seven series that will determine Uganda’s 2026 basketball champions.
NBL Playoffs Quarterfinals
Friday (YMCA)
Game one
Stormers v Queens 7pm
Canons v Crocs 9pm
Saturday (YMCA)
Women
Game one
Lady Canons v Rangers 10am
Leopards v Lady Tomahawks 12pm
Lady Jaguars v Lady Dolphins 2pm
Men
Saints v Sommet 4pm
Oilers v Panthers 6pm
Sunday (YMCA)
Women
Game two
Queens v Stormers 10am
Rangers v Lady Canons 12pm
Lady Dolphins v Lady Jaguars 2pm
Men
Game one
Blazers v Jaguars 4pm
Game two
Crocs v Canons 6pm
