RSSB Tigers and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) will square off at Lycée de Kigali on Friday, October 9, in the opening match of the 2026 Rwanda Cup.

The two teams are among four confirmed participants in this year’s tournament, alongside APR BBC and United Generation (UGB), who will meet in the second game at 6 p.m.

RSSB Tigers are the defending champions, having won the 2025 edition. Their triumph earned them a ticket to represent Rwanda in the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) after then-league champions APR withdrew from the continental competition.

Tigers went on to win the BAL qualifying tournament, with the finals held in Kigali.

Tigers and REG last met in the Rwanda Cup final in 2025, when Tigers prevailed 83–77 to lift the trophy.

The Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) introduced the Rwanda Cup in 2024 as part of efforts to increase the number of basketball competitions and expand opportunities for teams and players across the country. The tournament also aims to give players more opportunities to develop while contributing to improved overall performance standards. APR BBC won the inaugural men’s title.

The Rwanda Cup winners will face the league champions in the Super Cup, which serves as the curtain-raiser for the new basketball season.

The Super Cup is decided in a single game, with the winner determined after 40 minutes of play across four quarters.