Only one PBA team as EASL unveils expanded 2025-26 season

The 2025-26 East Asia Super League (EASL) season will feature an expanded format with 12 teams competing across three groups. The season runs from October 8, 2025, to March 22, 2026, comprising 42 games.

Group A consists of Japan's B.LEAGUE champion Utsunomiya Brex, P.LEAGUE+'s runner-up Taipei Fubon Braves, Korea's KBL runner-up Seoul SK Knights, and Hong Kong SAR champion Hong Kong Eastern.

Group B includes P.LEAGUE+ champion and 2025 EASL runner-up Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, Japan Emperor's Cup champion Ryukyu Golden Kings, Macau SAR champion Macau Black Bears, and one yet-to-be-announced PBA team.

This season marks a significant change as it will be the first time only one team from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) participates. Filipino teams have been a consistent presence in nearly all previous EASL tournaments. The only other instance of a single PBA team competing was the iECO Green Warriors in the 2018 Terrific 12.

Group C features KBL champion Changwon LG Sakers, Taiwan's T1 League (TPBL) champion New Taipei Kings, Mongolian champion Xac Broncos, and Japan's Alvark Tokyo, who qualified via their Emperor's Cup Finals appearance as part of EASL's expansion.

The postseason format is altered: the top two teams from each group will advance to a new "Round of 6," replacing the traditional Final Four. This guarantees a new EASL champion since the 2025 winner, Hiroshima Dragonflies, did not qualify. Additionally, the schedule will feature weekend games for the first time to improve fan access, with the Philippines hosting its first game on November 8.