Promotion, relegation system to return to China’s basketball leagues, sources say
Move will pave way for repeat National Basketball League champions Hong Kong Bulls to play in CBA; NBL to serve as second-tier competition
The promotion and relegation system in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league will return next summer, amid other changes to be made to the sport’s leagues in China.
Sources told the South China Morning Post that the CBA and the National Basketball League (NBL) – an independent league in the country – will also be merged, with the latter becoming the official second-tier league affiliated to the CBA.
Media reports in China on Thursday revealed that the promotion and relegation system would be initiated after the 2026-27 season of the two leagues.
It would potentially have the four lowest-ranked CBA teams playing a play-off tournament against the four highest-ranked NBL teams, with the top five finishers gaining CBA status for the 2027-28 season.
This means at least one NBL side will join the expanded top-tier league of 21 teams.
The same process will apply at the end of each season, with the ultimate goal of having a top basketball league with 22 teams.