Al Arabi and Al Rayyan in the First Final Clash… Al Sadd and Al Ahli Battle for Bronze

Doha – March 29, 2026:

The Al Gharafa Sports Hall will host, on Monday evening, March 30, 2026, the decisive final stage of the 45th edition of the Qatar Men’s Basketball League for the 2025–2026 season. The schedule includes the third-place playoff between Al Sadd and Al Ahli at 6:00 p.m., followed by the opening game of the championship series between Al Arabi and Al Rayyan at 8:00 p.m. The final will be played under the “Best of Three” format, concluding a season marked by fierce competition, balanced performances, and high technical quality throughout most of its stages.

This final stage comes after the playoff semifinals, which were decided in favor of Al Arabi and Al Rayyan, sending both teams to the grand finale in a showdown that continues a historic rivalry between two of Qatar’s most consistent basketball clubs in terms of performance and results. Their meeting in the final series promises open possibilities on both the technical and tactical fronts.

The semifinals witnessed clear dominance by the two finalists. Al Arabi secured its place early with a 95–78 victory over Al Sadd in the first game. In the second, Al Arabi sealed the series with a thrilling 76–74 win, a contest that remained competitive until the final seconds, with both sides exchanging momentum before Al Arabi clinched the win by just two points, advancing without the need for a third game.

On the other side, Al Rayyan claimed an important 93–69 victory over Al Ahli in the first semifinal, then confirmed its qualification with a tighter 93–88 win in the second game. The encounter was more competitive, with balanced performances throughout, but Al Rayyan managed to settle the details in the final minutes, winning the series 2–0.

Meanwhile, Al Sadd and Al Ahli will face off in the third-place playoff, a match carrying competitive and moral significance. Al Sadd aims to finish the season on the podium despite missing out on the final, while Al Ahli seeks to improve its ranking and reinforce its positive presence this season.

The final series schedule under the “Best of Three” format is as follows:

* Game 1: Monday, March 30, 2026 – Third-place playoff at 6:00 p.m., followed by Al Arabi vs. Al Rayyan at 8:00 p.m.
* Game 2: Thursday, April 2, 2026 – Second final game at 6:30 p.m.
* Game 3 (if needed): Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Decisive final at 6:30 p.m.

The Qatar Basketball Federation has unveiled the redesigned league championship shield this season, along with the gold, silver, and bronze medals. This edition marks the 45th in the history of the competition since its launch in the 1981–1982 season, which saw Al Arabi crowned as the inaugural champion. Over the years, Al Rayyan has emerged as the record holder with 18 league titles, followed by Al Arabi with 10, Qatar SC with 7, while Al Sadd, Al Gharafa, Al Shamal, and the former Al Jaish each claimed two titles. Al Ahli won its sole championship in the 2000–2001 season.