Get ready, hoops fans! 🏀 The 2025-26 season of the Chinese Basketball Association is set to tip off on December 12, bringing high-flying action and buzzer-beaters straight to your screens.
Instead of the usual October start, this year’s opener moves to December due to the 15th National Games in the Chinese mainland this November. Opening night spotlight: defending champions the Guangsha Lions will host the Shanxi Loongs in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province. Talk about a heavyweight clash to launch the season! 🎉
Fast forward to the finale: on April 24, 2026, all 10 teams will hit the court at the same time for what’s sure to be an epic closing day. With 20 clubs playing 42 games each—meeting every opponent twice and facing four rivals three times—there’s no shortage of rivalries.
Ready for the triple-threat matchups? The league has grouped teams into four scheduling pods, ensuring some squads clash thrice:
- Guangsha Lions, Beikong Royal Fighters, Shandong Kylins, Tianjin Pioneers, Ningbo Rockets
- Beijing Ducks, Qingdao Eagles, Zhejiang Golden Bulls, Guangzhou Loong Lions, Fujian Sturgeons
- Shanxi Loongs, Guangdong Southern Tigers, Shanghai Sharks, Jilin Northeast Tigers, Sichuan Blue Whales
- Liaoning Flying Leopards, Xinjiang Flying Tigers, Nanjing Monkey Kings, Shenzhen Leopards, Jiangsu Dragons
Whether you’re cheering courtside in Hangzhou or catching the live stream abroad, get your calendars ready and your jerseys on! 🙌 Who will rise as the season’s MVP? Stay tuned, because this CBA season is shaping up to be a slam dunk for the ages. 🌟
Reference(s):
2025-26 CBA regular season will begin on December 12, end on April 24
cgtn.com
