NBL26 Finals: Play-In Explainer

04 Mar 2026

finals

NBL26 will once again be utilising the Play-In format that was added to the post-season calendar in NBL23.

Now one of the tightest races to the Finals in recent memory has played out, the real competition tips off.

NBL26 will once again be utilising the Play-In format that was added to the post-season calendar in NBL23, which means any of the teams that finish in the top six on the ladder will give themselves a chance to etch their names into the history books.

In this system, both first and second on the ladder will progress straight to the Playoffs, with the other four sides contesting the Play-Ins fixtures.

Third and fourth will contest the Seeding Qualifier, with the victor progressing to take on second in a best-of-three Playoff Series.

While the loser hosts the winner of the Play-In Qualifier (fifth vs sixth), for a chance to take on the first in the Playoffs.

Following these two Play-In games, the four teams for the NBL26 Playoffs will be set, as they strive to qualify for the best-of-five Championship Series.

The schedule

As at completion of game on Saturday, March 7

Playoffs Series 1

Game 1
Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix
Tuesday, March 10 - 7.30pm AEDT
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Tickets | 36ers Finals Hub

Game 2
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Adelaide 36ers
Saturday, March 14 - 5.30pm AEDT
John Cain Arena
Tickets | Phoenix Finals Hub

Game 3
Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix
Tuesday, March 17 - 7.30pm AEDT
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
(if required)
Tickets | 36ers Finals Hub