QBL (Qatar) 2026/27

The Qatari Basketball League is the top-tier professional basketball competition in Qatar. Organised by the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), it sits at the apex of the national pyramid. The QBF founded the body in 1964 before launching the league for its first official season in 1981–82, though some records suggest 1979 as the start of the structure itself.

Unlike open systems, this competition functions as a closed league with no promotion or relegation. The current top division features nine teams, including Al Ahli, Al Arabi, Al Gharafa, Al Khor, Al Sadd, and Al Wakrah. Each side plays 15 matches during the regular season, typically divided into two halves. The top six clubs then progress to the playoffs.

Playoff play involves a specific sequence. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth-placed teams enter a play-in stage using single-elimination matches. Winners of those fixtures join the two highest seeds in the semifinals, contested over a best-of-three series. The finalists also meet in a best-of-three format to decide the champion. Al Arabi currently hold the title after winning the 2024–25 season, having defended their position from the previous year.

Historical dominance belongs to Al Rayyan, who have secured the championship 18 times. This includes a streak of 19 consecutive titles spanning from 1993–94 to 2011–12. Al Arabi has won the league 10 times according to recent records. The league remains distinct from the Emir Cup, a separate knockout tournament played in a single-elimination format with a final at a neutral venue.

Qatari clubs have previously competed in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, with Al Rayyan claiming victory in 2002 and 2005. More recently, the focus has shifted toward the Arab Clubs Basketball Championship, where Al Arabi and Al Rayyan represented the nation in 2025. The QBF has also introduced development initiatives such as the "2026 League Shield" to support growth ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.