ABIDJAN (Côte d'Ivoire) - Everyone is asking the same questions: What is really at stake? Will there be a surprise, or will the usual contenders make it all the way? And why follow the Elite 16?
Here's everything you need to know about the 2027 Road to the BAL Elite 16.
What's the Elite 16?
This is the second and final round of qualifying for next season's Basketball Africa League (BAL), which is celebrating its seventh year.
The qualifying campaign began in October, with 23 teams from across the continent competing to stay in the running.
After 43 games were played in Tripoli (Libya), Hoima (Uganda), Libreville (Republic of Congo) and Lusaka (Zambia), 13 clubs progressed to the Elite 16, joining the three clubs that qualified automatically.
Who are the contenders?
The three teams that automatically qualified for the Elite 16 are the hosts, JCA Kings from Côte d'Ivoire; Nairobi City from Kenya; and Dar City from Tanzania. They are joined by the following teams: Namwongo Blazers (Uganda), Urunani (Burundi), Patriot Basketball Club (South Sudan), Munali Suns (Zambia), Ferroviario da Beira (Mozambique), Dolphins Basketball Club (Botswana), Al Ittihad (Libya), Nadi Basket Staoueli (Algeria), Stade Malien (Mali), Spintex Knights (Ghana), Nabaya Sofas (Guinea), BC Avenir du Rail (Republic of Congo), and Espoir Basketball Club (Gabon).
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Groups.
Which cities are hosting?
The sixteen clubs have been divided into the East and West Divisions.
The West Division will take place in the Ivorian city of Abidjan, while the East Division will take place in Nairobi.
When are the games taking place?
Each division will play 16 games.
The West Division will be the first to start, with games being played from 9 to 15 November at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan.
The East Division will take place from 23 to 29 November at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi.
How to watch the 2027 Road to BAL Elite 16?
All games will be streamed live on FIBA's YouTube Channel. CLICK HERE TO WATCH
How do teams qualify for the 2027 BAL season?
The top two teams in each division, plus the highest-ranked third-placed team from both divisions, will qualify for the 2027 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season, bringing the total number of teams to five.
These five teams will join the seven teams that have automatically qualified for the BAL regular season, representing Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Tunisia.
Why follow the Elite 16?
Since its new qualification format was introduced in 2019 during the 2020 Road to BAL, Africa's club competition has never been the same.
With rosters consisting mostly of nationals from their respective countries, joined by talented import players, the Elite 16 is a stage that showcases some of the most talented players from the continent.
Which teams are considered the frontrunners?
Considering that the JCA Kings and the Nairobi City Thunder will be playing in front of their home fans, it's only fair to include them among the frontrunners. The other frontrunners include Libya's Al Ittihad, Dar City, who made their BAL debut earlier this year, and Urunani, who had an exceptional campaign.
However, as has been the case every year, a surprise team can't be ruled out.
FIBA