The 2026 Guangdong Women’s Basketball League officially began on November 7 at the Shaxi Gymnasium in Zhongshan.
According to a report by Information Times, 16 city-based teams from across the province have gathered to compete in the eleventh edition of the tournament.
The league, which functions as a platform for amateur and semi-professional talent, features nearly 300 athletes this year. Among the participants are 20 retired professional players, who are expected to increase the competitive level of the matches and mentor younger competitors.
In the opening game, the host team from Zhongshan secured a 74:52 victory over Chaozhou. The tournament is operating under the theme “Blooming with Light,” a slogan officials stated is intended to reflect the spirit of perseverance and growth among Guangdong’s female basketball players.
The league is scheduled for a seven-day run, with matches held at the Shaxi Gymnasium and the auxiliary hall of the Zhongshan Gymnasium. The 16 teams were divided into four groups via a draw, with the competition split into two distinct phases.
The first phase utilizes a single round-robin format. Following the conclusion of group play, the top-ranked team from each group will advance directly to the quarterfinals. The second and third-place teams will compete in a crossover playoff round to determine the remaining four spots in the final eight.
The second phase transitions into a single-elimination tournament to decide the final rankings from first to eighth place. Organizers noted that the condensed schedule is designed to test the tactical depth, teamwork, and adaptability of each roster.
The 2026 edition of the league is titled the "China Sports Lottery Cup," reflecting financial and organizational backing from provincial and municipal lottery authorities.
Established in 2016, the Guangdong Women’s Basketball League was the first provincial-level grassroots basketball tournament of its kind in China. The competition has maintained a consistent annual schedule, requiring teams to be organized by their respective cities.
The event has evolved into a standardized platform for non-professional basketball, focusing on regional representation.
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