Three games in two major cities open the 2025-26 season of the East Asia Super League.
The East Asia Super League will open its 2025–26 season in style on October 8 with simultaneous action in two basketball hotbeds — Taipei and Tokyo.
Fans in both cities will witness marquee matchups as the league tips off its most ambitious season yet.
In Taipei, the doubleheader at Heping Basketball Gymnasium begins with B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex facing P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves.
Utsunomiya, the most decorated club in B.LEAGUE history and led by veteran star Makoto Hiejima, will clash with a Braves squad featuring Chinese Taipei icon Lin Chih-Chieh, eager to bounce back from a grueling seven-game finals loss in their domestic league.
The second game is a rematch of last season’s EASL Final Four semifinal, as P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots take on Japan’s Emperor’s Cup holders Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Taoyuan edged Ryukyu, 71–64, in that playoff battle, but the Golden Kings are out for revenge in their EASL season opener.
Meanwhile in Tokyo, KEIO ARENA TOKYO will host the league’s first-ever game in Japan’s capital when powerhouse Alvark Tokyo meets the Xac Broncos.
Alvark brings a massive fan following into the matchup, while the Broncos make their EASL debut after dominating the Mongolian Basketball Association with back-to-back championships.
“When searching for a tip-off location, why not choose two beautiful, basketball-crazed cities?” said EASL CEO Henry Kerins.
“On October 8, the B.LEAGUE vs. P. LEAGUE+ rivalry returns in Taipei, while Tokyo will see a historic showdown between two exciting newcomers.”
—
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of One Sports Digital with the help of AI and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]