Japan Emperor's Cup champions Ryukyu Golden Kings get an automatic slot to the 2025-26 EASL season, pushing the B.LEAGUE count to three teams in the continental joust.
East Asia Super League has confirmed its 12th team for the 2025-26 season, with Japan’s 2025 Emperor’s Cup winner joining alongside the finalists of the 2024-25 B.LEAGUE season.
This development will see three B.LEAGUE teams competing for the 2025-26 season.
EASL’s decision to add the 2025 Emperor’s Cup winner strengthens the league’s competition and appeal, with this year’s edition marking the 100th anniversary of the historic tournament.
Since EASL's inaugural 2023-24 season, Japanese teams have demonstrated strong performances, with the B.LEAGUE claiming consecutive championships and a combined 23-7 record across its three teams.
As the Champions League of Asian basketball, EASL is committed to showcasing the continent’s best. Adding another top-tier Japanese team deepens the league’s talent pool and ensures consistent, high-level performance.
"We are honored to welcome a third Japanese team to EASL, especially the 2025 Emperor’s Cup winner," said EASL CEO Henry Kerins.
"The recent growth of Japanese basketball has been nothing short of remarkable, with the B.LEAGUE standing out as one of the top leagues in the world. This addition underscores our commitment to showcasing the best talent from across the continent.
With this move, we continue to elevate EASL’s standing as the premier platform for basketball in the region, delivering even more competitive and thrilling action for fans."
The Ryukyu Golden Kings are the 2025 Emperor's Cup champions, set to make their third straight EASL appearance in the 2025-26 season.
In their most recent EASL campaign, Ryukyu posted a league-best 5-1 record in the group stage and secured a spot in the EASL Final Four 2025.
If the Emperor’s Cup champion also qualifies for the B.LEAGUE Finals, the EASL spot for the 2025–26 season will go to the Emperor’s Cup runner-up.
However, if both the champion and runner-up reach the 2024–25 B.LEAGUE Finals, the spot will instead go to the highest-seeded team eliminated in the B.LEAGUE semifinals.
This ensures the next-best team from Japan remains in contention for EASL participation.
As it stands, the Golden Kings will face the San-en NeoPhoenix in the semifinals of the ongoing B.LEAGUE Playoffs. Alvark Tokyo will get the EASL nod by virtue of playing in the Emperor’s Cup Finals, should Ryukyu lose to San-en.
Tokyo lost in round 1 of the B.LEAGUE Playoffs to the Chiba Jets.