Nigerian Basketball League Super 8 Tips Off in Port Harcourt

The 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Super 8 Playoffs officially tip off today in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, marking the start of the league’s climactic phase that will determine the national champion.

According to a communique released by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club will host both the Final Eight Playoffs and the Final Four, following the league’s approval of the team’s bid. The announcement, jointly signed by the NBBF Secretary General, Amina O. Amanchi, and Chairman of the Men’s Premier League, Babatunde Ogunade, confirms Port Harcourt as the venue for the season’s final rounds for the third consecutive year.

The Playoffs will run from October 27 to November 2, 2025, with the top four teams advancing to the Final Four, scheduled for November 20–24, 2025. All matches will take place at the Indoor Basketball Court located at #59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township.

The tournament format will feature a round-robin system, where each of the eight participating teams will play against one another. The four teams with the best records will qualify for the championship round.

Rivers Hoopers, the reigning champions and hosts, are seeking to clinch a third consecutive NBPL title after triumphing in both 2023 and 2024. Their campaign begins today against Hoops & Read, a side that has steadily risen in prominence over recent seasons. The fixture is a repeat of last year’s finals and is scheduled to tip off at 4:00 p.m.

The KingsMen, as Rivers Hoopers are fondly known, remain unbeaten this season and are widely considered the favorites to retain their crown. They will face strong opposition from Kano Pillars, Nigeria Customs, Gboko City Chiefs, Lagos Legends, Nile University Spartans, and Kwara Falcons during the week-long competition.

The full schedule for the opening round of games is as follows:

Day 1 – Monday, October 27, 2025

• 10:00 a.m. – Lagos Legends vs Nigeria Customs

• 12:00 p.m. – Nile University vs Kwara Falcons

• 2:00 p.m. – Kano Pillars vs Gboko City Chiefs

• 4:00 p.m. – Rivers Hoopers vs Hoops & Read

Day 2 – Tuesday, October 28, 2025

• 10:00 a.m. – Kwara Falcons vs Lagos Legends

• 12:00 p.m. – Nigeria Customs vs Gboko City Chiefs

• 2:00 p.m. – Nile University vs Hoops & Read

• 4:00 p.m. – Kano Pillars vs Rivers Hoopers

The Playoffs will continue daily until November 2, with two rounds of action each day.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, NBBF officials expressed confidence in Port Harcourt’s readiness to deliver a successful championship once again. The Rivers Hoopers management also assured that the event would showcase the best of Nigerian basketball talent and reinforce the state’s growing reputation as the home of elite basketball in the country.

The NBPL Super 8 serves as the peak of the domestic basketball season, with the eventual winner representing Nigeria at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers.

As the games begin, basketball enthusiasts across the nation are expected to turn their attention to Port Harcourt, where top-tier competition, rivalries, and the pursuit of national glory will dominate the week’s sporting headlines.