Pius Ayinor
Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has been confirmed as the host city by the Nigeria Basketball Federation for the 2025 Final-8 and the Final Four Playoffs of the Nigeria Men’s Basketball Premier League.
A communique from the Nigeria Basketball Federation on Monday and addressed to all clubs due to participate in the Playoffs, as well as other relevant stakeholders stated the details.
In the communiqué jointly signed by Men’s Premier League Chairman, Babatunde Ogunade, and the NBBF Secretary General, Amina Amanchi, the League Management Committee stated that it received – and subsequently approved – only one bid from Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club of Port Harcourt to host the Final Eight and Final Four of the 2025 season.
The latest development means Rivers State will serve as host for the final phase of the league for the third year running, having also hosted the 2023 and 2024 finals.
There were unconfirmed reports last month about Kano Pillars possibly bidding to host one of the playoffs but that did not eventually materialize.
The Final-Eight Playoffs will commence with the arrival of participating teams on 26th October, while match action will take place from 27th October to 2nd November, with teams expected to depart on 3rd November.
Games will be played in a round robin format, which will see all eight teams playing once against the other seven teams, with the top four teams qualifying for the Final-Four.
The Final-Four will run from 20th to 24th November.
All matches will be played at the Basketball Court, on 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township. Extrasportnigeria.com learnt that Rivers Hoopers, the host club, are eager to stage the Final-4 at the bigger arena of the Civic Centre but that idea would depend on the place being properly renovated for the top event within this period left.
Recall that Rivers Hoopers are reigning NBPL champions and are gunning for a third straight title after claiming the championship on home soil in 2023 and 2024.
Extrasportnigeria 
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