East Asia Super League (EASL) has unveiled the schedule for its upcoming 2023-24 season, setting fans up for an epic series of matches between East Asia’s best basketball teams.

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The EASL 2023-24 season will involve 28 games, taking place between October 11 this year and March 10, 2024. It will begin with the group stage, in which each of the eight competing teams will play their group opponents once at home and once away. The championship will be decided at the four-game, four-team Final Four playoff competition on March 8-10, 2024. The winning team will secure a $1 million prize.

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In an update to the team line-up for the 2023-24 season, Meralco Bolts will replace Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as one of the two PBA teams.

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The EASL 2023-24 season groups are:

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Group A:

• Chiba Jets, 2022-23 Japan B.LEAGUE runners-up
• Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters, 2022-23 Korean Basketball League champions  
• TNT Tropang Giga, 2022-23 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup champions
• Taipei Fubon Braves, 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ champions:  

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Group B:  

• Ryukyu Golden Kings, 2022-23 B.LEAGUE champions
• Seoul SK Knights, 2022-23 KBL runners-up
• Meralco Bolts, 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinalists
• New Taipei Kings, 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ runners up

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In exciting news for the EASL season ahead, Chinese Taipei superstar Jeremy Lin yesterday announced he is joining the New Taipei Kings. Jeremy will line up alongside his brother Joseph for the Kings this season in a development that will thrill basketball fans across Asia.

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Matchups to watch

October 11, 2023 – Group A – Chiba Jets v TNT Tropang Giga

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Chiba Jets will tip off the new season as they host PBA Governors’ Cup champs TNT Tropang Giga. This game marks the Jets’ return to EASL competition, after last playing in the Terrific 12 in 2019, where they split their record in two games played.

The Jets were the winners of the 2017 EASL Super 8 tournament, going undefeated in five games.

The 2023 B.LEAGUE regular season champions will look to return to winning ways this season. Talk N’ Text, meanwhile, will look to get back on the win column after going down in both games during EASL Champions Week.

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October 18, 2023 – Group B – Ryukyu Golden Kings v Seoul SK Knights

Seoul SK Knights return to Okinawa to tip off their EASL 2023-24 season. SK have tough memories of Okinawa Arena, after falling short in the EASL Champions Week final this March against Korean rivals Anyang KGC (since renamed Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters). The Knights face the defending B.LEAGUE champions, the Golden Kings, at the venue on October 18.

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October 25, 2023 – Group A – Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters v Taipei Fubon Braves

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EASL Champions Week champions Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (then called Anyang KGC) and P. LEAGUE+ defending champs Taipei Fubon Braves square off once again on October 25. The teams matched up in EASL Champions Week, with Anyang annihilating Taipei 94-69 in the first game of the tournament on March 1. The Braves are aiming for redemption on Anyang’s home court.

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What they said

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EASL co-founder and CEO Matt Beyer:

“Asian basketball fans have never had such a rich list of competitive fixtures between their top clubs. This schedule represents the realization of the EASL dream of a full season of competition to decide who is the best team in East Asia.”

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FIBA Asia Executive Director Hagop Khajirian:

“The FIBA Regional Office-Asia is looking forward to [the 2023-24 Season] of the EASL, indeed an important milestone as it means another step towards the growth of pan-regional club competition in this part of Asia. We wish all the participating teams the best of luck in this endeavour.”

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B.LEAGUE Commissioner Shinji Shimada:

“EASL [2023-24 Season] will start soon,with Ryukyu Golden Kings and Chiba Jets from B.LEAGUE. I’m looking forward toseeing these two clubs being successful on the Asian stage. Moreover, I amexcited to see all the qualified clubs playing competitively and showing the worldthe appeal of Asian basketball.”

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KBL Commissioner Kim Hee Ok:

“We are sure that Korean basketball fans will be hooked by the journeys of Anyang KGC and Seoul SK Knights through EASL [2023-24 Season]. We look forward to seeing them take on the best of the best in East Asia. Of course, we expect that they will repeat their success in EASL Season 1 and that one of them will bring back the trophy to Korea.”

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PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial:

“Filipino basketball fans can’t wait to see TNT Tropang Giga and Meralco face off against the champions from other countries during this EASL season.  It’s an opportunity to showcase the Filipino brand of play on the international stage and we’re excited to continue our partnership with EASL in growing the sport we love in our region.”

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P. LEAGUE+ International Affairs Manager Ryan Chen:

“Basketball fans here have been building an appetite to see the players and teams they support go out and compete internationally against the best. And with the chance to host home games, the fans will savor the chance to demonstrate their passion for their team and defend home court. Our Braves and Kings will be up for the challenge.”

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