NBL26 Finals Dates: When the Play-In and Championship Series Begin
The NBL26 Finals schedule is now locked in, with the Championship Series confirmed between the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers.
The Play-In Tournament and Semi Finals have already shaped the bracket, and attention now turns to a best-of-five series that will decide the NBL26 champion.
NBL26 Play-In and Semi Finals Recap
The Play-In Tournament tipped off on March 4 and ran through to March 7, finalising the teams that advanced into the Semi Finals.
Top two teams bypassed this stage and moved straight into the Semi Finals, which were played between March 11 and March 18.From there, Sydney and Adelaide emerged as the final two teams left standing.
NBL26 Championship Series Schedule
The Championship Series begins on Saturday March 21 and follows a best-of-five format.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (AEDT) | Venue | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers | Saturday March 21 | 7:00pm | Qudos Bank Arena | ESPN & 10 Drama |
| Game 2 | Adelaide 36ers vs Sydney Kings | Friday March 27 | 7:30pm | Adelaide Entertainment Centre | ESPN |
| Game 3 | Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers | Sunday March 29 | 2:30pm | Qudos Bank Arena | ESPN & 10 |
| Game 4* | Adelaide 36ers vs Sydney Kings | Wednesday April 1 | 7:30pm | Adelaide Entertainment Centre | ESPN |
| Game 5* | Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
How the Championship Series Works
The NBL Championship Series is played as a best-of-five.
The higher seed hosts Games 1, 3 and 5, which is why Sydney holds home court advantage in this matchup.
Games are typically spaced across a two to three day window, which places a premium on depth, recovery and in-game adjustments.
Why the Schedule Matters
The finals schedule compresses quickly at this stage of the season.
Teams that come through the Play-In and Semi Finals carry minutes in their legs, while top seeds benefit from rest and preparation. That balance often shows up as the series progresses, especially beyond Game 2.
For a full breakdown of how the Play-In and Finals structure works, see our NBL26 Finals Format guide.
For a closer look at which teams are fighting to qualify, read our NBL26 Finals Race breakdown.