The decisive phase of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) kicks off on Tuesday (May 12) with the play-ins. Defending champion FC Bayern Munich is once again the top favorite, with Berlin and Bamberg emerging as early challengers. Here’s all you need to know about the BBL playoffs, including teams, schedule, and format.
Which Teams Are in the BBL Playoffs?
The top six teams from the regular season have already secured their spots in the quarterfinals:
- 1. FC Bayern Munich (58:10 points)
- 2. Alba Berlin (48:20)
- 3. Bamberg Baskets (48:20)
- 4. Bonn (42:26)
- 5. Würzburg (40:28)
- 6. Ulm (38:30)
Four additional teams—Vechta (7), Trier (8), Rostock (9), and Ludwigsburg (10)—still have a chance to claim the last two quarterfinal spots through the play-ins.
Play-In Format (NBA-Style)
On Tuesday, seventh-place Vechta hosts eighth-place Trier. The winner secures playoff spot No. 7 and will face Alba Berlin. The loser gets a second chance, playing on Thursday against the winner of the other play-in between Rostock and Ludwigsburg for the final playoff spot. That team will then face regular-season champion FC Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.
FC Bayern as Top Favorite – Who Are the Challengers?
FC Bayern is the overwhelming favorite, not only due to their first-place finish but also because of the deepest and most talented roster in the league, being the only German club competing in the EuroLeague. National team star Andreas Obst received the MVP trophy ahead of the playoffs. After a disappointing EuroLeague campaign and a semifinal loss in the domestic cup at home to Bamberg, only the championship—their third in a row—will save their season. Alba Berlin, who finished second, are once again the main challengers and could meet Bayern in the final, a matchup seen in three of the last five seasons. The resurgent Bamberg Baskets, having lost just one of their last 13 games since their cup triumph, are also seen as a strong contender to reach the finals.
Playoff Format: Best-of-Five
All series from the quarterfinals onward are best-of-five, meaning the first team to three wins advances. The higher-seeded teams hold home-court advantage in Games 1, 2, and (if necessary) Game 5, with a back-to-back schedule similar to the NBA.
Key Dates in the BBL Playoffs
The quarterfinals tip off on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17. The semifinals are scheduled to begin on May 30, and the finals series is set to start on June 12.
Where to Watch the BBL Playoffs
All playoff games will be streamed on the “Dyn” service, with select games also available free on “Bild” and “Welt” (both stream and free TV). Additionally, some games will be streamed live on the Sportschau digital channels as announced.
