by sportswriters Li Bowen, Lin Deren and Wu Bowen
BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 2025-26 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season is set to launch its 31st campaign on Friday, entering the next decade with a significant shift to international game-duration rules and a major roster shakeup that has altered the championship landscape.
The 2025-26 season introduces a pivotal regulation change: matches will now be played in four 10-minute quarters, replacing the previous 12-minute format. The move is designed to align the domestic league fully with FIBA standards.
FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis praised the CBA for returning to FIBA's 40-minute game format after experimenting with the NBA-style 48-minute structure.
"The CBA is moving back to full compliance with FIBA regulations, which I consider a major change in the way we are delivering our sport," he said.
Yang Yang, chairman of the CBA Company, said the regulation change aims to synchronize domestic play with the international game.
"Adjusting the quarter duration to 10 minutes helps players better adapt to the rhythm and intensity of FIBA competitions. This aims to enhance athletes' competitiveness on the international stage and achieve a seamless transition from the league to the national team," Yang said.
Beyond the rule changes, the league has witnessed its most active transfer market in three years, with 48 domestic player transactions completed during the offseason.
The Zhejiang Lions, fresh off capturing their first championship in franchise history, enter the season as favorites to repeat. The Lions retained their core championship lineup, including star domestic players Hu Jinqiu, Sun Minghui and Zhu Junlong, alongside import Barry Brown Jr. After withstanding a fierce challenge from the Beijing Ducks in last year's finals, the team's continuity and newfound championship experience make them a formidable force.
Zhejiang head coach Wang Bo emphasized that the team's focus is squarely on the future. "The glory of the past season is now history. As the defending champions, we will embrace the new challenges ahead," Wang said.
The runners-up, the Beijing Ducks, have aggressively retooled after falling short in their first finals appearance in a decade. Despite injuries to stars Zeng Fanbo and Zhou Qi hampering their previous campaign, Beijing has doubled down on star power. The Ducks acquired Chinese national team captain Zhao Rui and signed forwards Omari Rasulala Spellman and Mangok Mathiang. Health and chemistry will be the deciding factors in their quest for the title.
11-time champions the Guangdong Southern Tigers remain in the hunt, bolstered by the high-profile arrivals of Cui Yongxi and Jiao Boqiao. After reshuffling their foreign-player rotation following a lackluster showing last year, Guangdong's success will hinge on how quickly their young domestic talent can gel with the new imports.
The Shanxi Loongs, who reached the Final Four last season, retained their domestic core while adding Yu Miti Saidake and Liu Dong and promoting prospect Dan Houran. However, they completely overhauled their foreign lineup. With Brandon Goodwin and George Earl Kell III departing, Shanxi signed six-year NBA player Jaylen Nowell and former Xinjiang guard Ashton Hagans to partner with Hamidou Diallo and Ibrahima Fall Faye.
The Liaoning Flying Leopards, a dominant force for years, face a difficult rebuilding phase after a semifinal exit last season. With veteran center Han Dejun retiring, star guard Zhao Jiwei battling injuries, and forward Zhang Zhenlin transferring out, the Leopards face significant challenges.
Conversely, the Shanghai Sharks have emerged as a "superteam" contender. After finishing 11th last season, Shanghai executed a series of blockbuster moves, acquiring Zhang Zhenlin and Cui Xiaolong. They also bolstered their backcourt by signing imports Brandon Goodwin, the offensive spearhead from Shanxi, and veteran scorer Kyle Fogg.
The 2025-26 season is defined by a distinct youth movement. Of the 339 registered domestic players, 197 were born after 2000, accounting for 58 percent of the league. Players aged 31 and older make up just 9 percent of the roster pool, the lowest figure in three seasons.
As the CBA enters its fourth decade, the league is betting on a faster game and a younger generation to drive its future. ■
