Port Harcourt has been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League playoffs for a fourth consecutive year, following a slight adjustment to the schedule by the League Management Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.

Originally scheduled for August 22–29, the playoffs, otherwise known as Phase Three, will now hold from August 29 to September 6 at the Basketball Stadium, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers State.

NBBF Vice-President and League Chairman Babatunde Ogunade and Secretary-General Amina Amanchi commended the qualifying teams for their professionalism and performances so far.

Under the revised schedule, participating teams are expected to arrive on August 29 for pre-tournament technical meetings, with competitive action scheduled for August 30 to September 5. Teams will depart on September 6.

The eight-team round-robin tournament features four qualifiers from the Atlantic Conference — Rivers Hoopers, Maktown Flyers, Hoops & Read and Lagos Raptors — alongside Savannah Conference representatives Aso Sky Hawks, 313 Warriors, Gboko City Chiefs and Kano Pillars.

Meanwhile, six-time champions Rivers Hoopers have intensified preparations for Phase Three, with interim head coach Ronald Alalibo emphasising squad unity and total mental focus ahead of the playoffs.

The KingsMen, who play in the Atlantic Conference, are targeting a return to the top of Nigerian basketball after a strong showing in Phases One and Two, where they recorded 4-1 and 6-1 records respectively.

Speaking ahead of the playoffs, Alalibo stressed that every member of the roster would have a critical role to play as the coaching staff fine-tunes the team’s chemistry and tactical 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.

“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.

The Phase Three playoffs will see the KingsMen face fellow Atlantic Conference qualifiers Maktown Flyers, Hoops & Read and Lagos Raptors, alongside Aso Sky Hawks, 313 Warriors, Gboko City Chiefs and Kano Pillars from the Savannah Conference in a round-robin format.

Hoopers are hoping to reclaim the NPBL title after they were dethroned by Maktown Flyers, who competed as Lagos Legends last year.