# Basketball Africa League 2027 qualification process > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/basketball-africa-league-2027-qualification-process > Updated: 2026-10-24T00:02:11.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3. The qualification cycle for the seventh edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) is set to begin on October 21, 2026. The process involves regional tournaments across the East and West divisions, with over twenty teams competing for spots in the Elite 16 tournaments. In the West Division, Group A will be hosted in Libya and Group B will involve teams from several West African nations. The top teams from these groups will advance to the Elite 16 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The East Division will hold preliminary rounds in the Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Zambia, with the East Elite 16 scheduled for Nairobi, Kenya. In preparation for these continental competitions, South African clubs are finalizing their entries. The Soweto Panthers Basketball Club has been formally registered by FIBA Africa as South Africa’s representative, while the Johannesburg Giants have secured the Basketball South Africa National Clubs Championship title, positioning them to pursue BAL 2027 opportunities. The Giants recently completed an unbeaten 4–0 tournament run, including a 99–57 victory over MBB, to secure their second consecutive national championship. Following the official start of the qualification cycle, the Zone 4 qualifying tournaments for the Road to BAL 2027 commenced at the Henri-Elendé gymnasium in Brazzaville, Congo. These regional competitions are running alongside the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) tournaments. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-24: Basketball tournaments launch in Congo and Senegal Basketball qualifying tournaments have commenced in Brazzaville, Congo, while SOBAC and AS Police secured promotion to Senegal's first division. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/basketball-tournaments-launch-in-congo-and-senegal ### 2026-10-18: South African basketball clubs prepare for BAL 2027 qualification South African basketball clubs, including the Soweto Panthers and Johannesburg Giants, are advancing toward the Basketball Africa League 2027 qualification cycle following domestic championship successes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-african-basketball-clubs-prepare-for-bal-2027-qualification ### 2026-10-15: Basketball Africa League 2027 qualifications to begin October 21 The Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2027 qualifications begin October 21, featuring over 20 teams competing in regional tournaments across Africa to reach the Elite 16. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/basketball-africa-league-2027-qualifications-to-begin-october-21 --- Cite as: Basketball Africa League 2027 qualification process. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/basketball-africa-league-2027-qualification-process