The Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Finals are finally here, and Australian basketball fans are in for a wild ride. After a 33-game regular season that went right down to the wire, the top six teams are locked and loaded for the playoffs starting in early March. If you’re searching for the NBL26 Finals schedule, key dates and our NBL Championship betting tip, you’re in the right spot!
Also, we'll be providing free betting preview and tips for each and every game of the NBL26 Finals, so be sure to head to our dedicated NBL page regularly!
NBL26 Finals Preview 2026: Full Schedule, Dates and Championship Tip
Sydney Kings Top the Ladder as NBL26 Finals Get Underway
Sydney Kings finished as minor premiers with a 24-9 record, storming home with 17 wins from their last 19 games. Kendric Davis led the way as an All-NBL First Team selection, while Xavier Cooks, Kouat Noi and the rest of Brian Goorjian’s squad made them the team to beat.
Adelaide 36ers grabbed second spot at 23-10, powered by Bryce Cotton who picked up his sixth Andrew Gaze MVP award and third in a row. Zylan Cheatham and the home-court crowd at Adelaide Entertainment Centre make them dangerous.
Rounding out the top six are South East Melbourne Phoenix (22-11, 3rd), Perth Wildcats (21-12, 4th), Melbourne United (20-13, 5th) and Tasmania JackJumpers (14-19, 6th). The JackJumpers snuck in, but everyone knows the Play-In is where the real chaos begins.
NBL26 Finals Format and Schedule
The Play-In system returns for NBL26, giving every top-six team a shot at the title. Here’s exactly how it plays out.
Play-In Tournament
- Seeding Qualifier: South East Melbourne Phoenix (3) vs Perth Wildcats (4) – Wednesday 4 March, 7:30pm AEDT at John Cain Arena
- Play-In Qualifier: Melbourne United (5) vs Tasmania JackJumpers (6) – Thursday 5 March, 7:30pm AEDT at John Cain Arena
- Play-In Game: Loser of Seeding Qualifier vs Winner of Play-In Qualifier – Saturday 7 March, time and venue TBC (hosted by the Seeding Qualifier loser)
The winner of the Play-In Game faces the Sydney Kings in the first semi-final series. The winner of the Seeding Qualifier takes on Adelaide in the second.
Semi-Final Series (Best-of-Three)
The semi-finals follow a best-of-three format, where the higher seed hosts Game 1 and a potential Game 3, while the lower seed hosts Game 2. Dates and venues for Game 2 (and Game 3 in some cases) are confirmed based on series results and travel logistics.
Series 1: Sydney Kings (1) vs Play-In Game Winner
- Game 1: Wednesday 11 March, 7:30pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena
- Game 2: Date and venue to be confirmed (at opponent's home)
- Game 3 (if necessary): Wednesday 18 March, 7:30pm AEDT – Qudos Bank Arena
Series 2: Adelaide 36ers (2) vs Seeding Qualifier Winner
- Game 1: Tuesday 10 March, 7:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
- Game 2 : Date and venue to be confirmed (at opponent's home)
- Game 3 (if necessary): Date and venue to be confirmed (at Adelaide Entertainment Centre)
NBL Championship Series (best-of-five)
The two semi-final winners meet in the Grand Final. The higher remaining seed hosts Games 1, 3 and 5. Expect the series to run from late March into early April.
Every game streams live on Kayo Sports, with selected matches also on Channel 10.
Sydney’s home dominance at Qudos Bank Arena, combined with their depth and red-hot form, makes them clear favourites for the NBL26 title ($1.80 at Dabble). Goorjian’s side has shown all season they can grind out wins and control big moments. Adelaide will push them hard thanks to Cotton’s scoring and Cheatham’s rebounding, but the Kings have the edge in overall balance and momentum.
The Play-In week in Melbourne sets up plenty of upset potential, especially that do-or-die game on March 7. A Wildcats or United run could shake things up, but the smart money still lands on Sydney reaching the Grand Final and going all the way.
NBL26 Championship Betting Tip
Back the Sydney Kings to Win the Championship
After watching the whole season unfold, we are confident the Sydney Kings will lift the trophy in NBL26. Their impressive 24-9 record speaks volumes about their consistency, and that elite defence has been a game-changer in tight contests. Add in their proven ability to close out games when it matters most, and you have a squad built for postseason success. Brian Goorjian, fresh off his record seventh Coach of the Year award, has masterminded a late-season surge that included dominant wins and smart rotations. With stars like Kendric Davis running the show and a supporting cast that steps up under pressure, the Kings look unstoppable.
The depth on this roster is what sets them apart, allowing them to weather any challenges that come their way in the finals. Playing at home in front of those passionate Qudos Bank Arena crowds gives them an extra edge, turning every game into a fortress. While teams like Adelaide bring firepower with Bryce Cotton's MVP-level play, Sydney's balance across offence and defence, plus their momentum from that 17-2 run to end the regular season, makes them the standout choice. This is a team hungry for another title, and all signs point to them delivering.
Sydney Kings to Win NBL Championship
$1.80 (2.5 Units)
