The East Asia Super League (EASL) has finalized the six teams that will compete in the EASL Finals, set for March 18 to 22 in Macau SAR, where Asia's next champion will be crowned.
After an expanded 36-game regular season featuring 12 clubs across three groups, the competition has narrowed to six teams for the largest postseason playoff in league history.
This marks Macau's second consecutive year hosting the league's postseason, evolving from the 2024-25 Final Four to this season's expanded Finals format.
The prize money has also seen a major jump. The champions will take home USD 1.5 million, while the runners-up earn USD 750,000, and the third-place finisher claims USD 350,000 — the biggest payout in EASL history.
The EASL Finals format rewards regular season performance.
The top two group winners advance directly to the semifinals, while the third group winner and three second-place teams start in the quarterfinals.
The bracket is designed so teams from the same group can only meet in the championship game, ensuring fresh matchups throughout the tournament.
The quarterfinals tip off on March 18, semifinals follow on March 20, and the Finals conclude on March 22 with the third place and championship games.
The quarterfinals venue will be announced shortly, while the semifinals and finals on March 20 and 22 will be held at Studio City Event Center.
Tickets for the EASL Finals will go on sale February 26 via the league's official ticketing partner, TicketLink. Additional details will be announced soon.
"With the postseason back and the EASL Finals now here, the stage is set for the highest level of competition we have seen," said EASL Chief Executive Officer Henry Kerins.
"Six teams remain, each representing the strength and depth of basketball across the region, competing for the largest prize pool in league history. We are excited to return to this stage and crown Asia's champion."
The following six teams will compete at the EASL Finals in Macau:
GROUP A
No. 1 seed: Utsunomiya Brex (B.LEAGUE) 4-2
The Utsunomiya Brex locked up their EASL Finals berth on the final day of the regular season with a 105-88 win over the Taipei Fubon Braves on February 11, capping a three-game winning streak to close the campaign.
The victory also avenged a 109-107 overtime loss to Taipei on October 8 at EASL Tip Off 2025. Brex finished 4-2 and claimed Group A's top seed over Seoul SK on head-to-head point differential.
Their first opponent in the EASL Finals will be the New Taipei Kings of Group C.
No. 2 seed: Seoul SK Knights (KBL) 4-2
The Seoul SK Knights punched their ticket to the EASL Finals with an 89-78 victory over the Taipei Fubon Braves on January 28, becoming the first team to clinch a postseason berth.
[RELATED: Arvin Tolentino, Seoul SK Knights clinch first spot in 2026 EASL Finals]
With the win, SK improved to 4-2, and because the Braves dropped to three losses with the defeat, it guaranteed that only one other team in the group could potentially match SK's 4-2 record.
This secured the Knights' advancement regardless of other results.
It's their second postseason appearance after reaching the Final Four in the league's inaugural 2023-24 season.
After splitting their first two games, SK notched back-to-back wins to take control of Group A and never relinquished the lead, finishing 4-2.
Their first opponent in the EASL Finals will be the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots of Group B.
GROUP B
No. 1 seed: Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) 5-1
The Ryukyu Golden Kings are back in the postseason for a second straight year after defeating the Meralco Bolts 88-79 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[RELATED: Meralco Bolts bow to Ryukyu Golden Kings, get boot in EASL]
Ryukyu finished atop their group for the second consecutive season with a 5-1 record after placing fourth at the 2024-25 Final Four.
They have become one of two teams to reach the semifinals through an automatic bye and finish as the No. 2 overall seed with a lower overall point differential than the only other team with a 5-1 record, Alvark Tokyo.
Their first opponent in the EASL Finals will be the winner between the Utsunomiya Brex and the New Taipei Kings.
No. 2 seed: Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+) 4-2
The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots became the first Group B team to clinch an EASL Finals spot, securing their berth on tiebreaker point differential despite an 88-82 road loss to the Ryukyu Golden Kings on February 4.
Taoyuan returns to the postseason after a Cinderella run to the Championship Game in 2024-25 and matches last season's 4-2 regular season record.
Their first opponent in the EASL Finals will be the Seoul SK Knights of Group A.
GROUP C
No. 1 seed: Alvark Tokyo (B.LEAGUE) 5-1
Alvark Tokyo qualified for the EASL Finals in their debut season with a 92-79 win over the New Taipei Kings on February 4.
After dropping their opener on October 8 at EASL Tip Off, Alvark rattled off 5 straight wins and ultimately secured the No. 1 overall seed with a 97-93 victory over the Xac Broncos on February 11.
Alvark are the No. 1 overall seed, joining the Ryukyu Golden Kings as one of the two teams to reach the semifinals through an automatic bye with identical 5-1 records.
Their first opponent in the EASL Finals will be the winner between the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and the Seoul SK Knights.
No. 2 seed: New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) 3-3
The New Taipei Kings advanced to the EASL Finals after Alvark Tokyo's win over the Xac Broncos sent them through as the No. 2 seed on head-to-head point differential after both New Taipei and the Xac Broncos finished with 3-3 records.
New Taipei becomes the only club to reach the postseason in each of the league's first three seasons, having finished fourth in 2023-24 and third in 2024-25.
Their first opponent in the EASL Finals will be the Utsunomiya Brex of Group A.
The full EASL Finals bracket is below:
EASL is bringing the Finals back to Macau for what promises to be the most electrifying showdown in Asian club basketball.
Ticketing information, final game times, and additional details will be announced soon.
Six elite teams. One champion. All on the biggest stage.
We'll see you in Macau on March 18.