FIBA has confirmed the format and participant list for the Road to BAL 2027, the qualifying tournament running from 21 October to 22 November 2026. More than 20 teams have entered, including eight that featured in the previous edition. The competition is split into five geographical groups across the East and West conferences, with first-phase games hosted in Tripoli (Libya), Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), Hoima (Uganda) and Lusaka (Zambia).
Two Indian Ocean sides will carry the region's hopes. Madagascar's COSPN and Ushundzi Basket of the Comoros are drawn in Group D in Hoima from 21 to 25 October, alongside Urunani (Burundi), Patriots Basketball Club (South Sudan) and Uganda's Namuwongo Blazers. The top two in the group will advance to the East Division Elite 16.
Group E, played in Lusaka from 27 to 31 October, includes Zambia's Munali Suns, Malawi's Bravehearts, Ferroviario da Beira of Mozambique and the Harare Kings of Zimbabwe, with a South African representative still to be named. In the West, Group A and Group B will play in Tripoli from 21 to 25 October, while Group C gathers in Brazzaville from 24 to 28 October. FIBA noted that wild cards may be awarded to complete the Elite 16 line-ups.
As in 2024, Abidjan and Nairobi will host the Elite 16 tournaments. Abidjan stages the West Division from 10 to 15 November, with Ivorian side JCA Kings as host club after their debut BAL appearance in 2026. Nairobi hosts the East Division from 17 to 22 November. The top two teams from each conference will qualify for the Basketball Africa League 2027.
