The 2026 LKL Playoffs known as the 2026 Betsson-LKL Playoffs for sponsorship purposes was the 31st edition of the LKL playoffs. The top eight finishers in the regular season competed for the championship. Playoffs began on 20 May 2026. Žalgiris was the defending champion and successfully defended title after winning final series 3–0 against Juventus. Žalgiris won the 26th LKL championship title.
The quarterfinals will be played in a best-of-three format with the higher seeded team playing the first and third (if necessary) game at home. Semifinals, third place game and final will be played in a best-of-five format, with the higher seed team playing games 1, 3 and 5 (if necessary) at home.
Notable events On 12 May 2026, the first LKL playoffs pair has been set. Rytas and Juventus will face each other in the quarterfinals. On 13 May 2026, the second LKL playoffs pair has been set. Žalgiris will face Jonava Hipocredit in the quarterfinals stage. On 14 May 2026, the schedule of the 2026 Betsson–LKL quarterfinals stage has been revealed. On 17 May 2026, all quarterfinal matchups were revealed. On 22 May 2026, Žalgiris and Lietkabelis are the first semifinalists. Žalgiris defeated Jonava Hipocredit 2–0 in the best-of-three quarterfinals series, meaning Žalgiris remains the only team in the league’s history to have never missed the semifinals. Meanwhile, Lietkabelis defeated Šiauliai 2–0 in the quarterfinal series and advanced to the semifinals for the ninth consecutive time. The last time Lietkabelis failed to reach the LKL top four was in the 2015–16 LKL season. On 23 May 2026, Juventus and Neptūnas are the last 2026 LKL playoffs semifinalists. Juventus sensationally defeated Rytas 2–0 in the quarterfinals, meaning that Rytas will miss the LKL semifinals and medals for the first time since 1997. It is also the first time in league history that the seventh-seeded team has defeated the second-seeded team in the quarterfinals. Juventus had not reached the LKL semifinals since the 2020–21 LKL season, when they finished in fourth place. Meanwhile, Neptūnas defeated Gargždai 2–0 in the quarterfinals and are returning to the LKL semifinals after a lengthy absence. Neptūnas last reached the semifinals in the 2018–19 LKL season, when they won the bronze medals. On 31 May 2026, Žalgiris became the first finalist. In the semifinal series, Žalgiris defeated Lietkabelis 3–0. This will be 32nd finals appearance for Žalgiris from 33 possible. Lietkabelis will compete for third place and will try to win its fourth consecutive bronze medal. On 3 June 2026, Juventus defeated Neptūnas 3–1 in the semifinal series to reach the LKL finals for the first time in club history, where they will face Žalgiris. Meanwhile, Neptūnas will take on Lietkabelis in the third-place series. The series for third place will begin on 6 June 2026, while the finals series is set to start on 7 June 2026. On 12 June 2026, Žalgiris defeated Juventus 3–0 in the finals series to claim its 26th LKL championship title. Žalgiris finished the season with only one loss, something it had last achieved in the 2011–12 LKL season. On 13 June 2026, Neptūnas defeated Lietkabelis 3–1 to claim the bronze medals for the first time since the 2018–19 LKL season.
Qualified teams
Playoffs schedule +Schedule for 2026 LKL playoffsPhaseDatesOther datesQuarterfinals20–23 May 202620–25 May 2026Semifinals26 May – 1 June 202626 May – 5 June 2026Third place6–11 June 20266–15 June 2026Finals7–12 June 20267–16 June 2026
Bracket
Quarterfinals
Žalgiris vs. Jonava Hipocredit
Šiauliai vs. Lietkabelis
Rytas vs. Juventus
Neptūnas vs. Gargždai
Semifinals
Žalgiris vs. Lietkabelis
Juventus vs. Neptūnas
Third place
Finals + Road to the final Žalgiris Round Juventus 1st place (31–1) Regular season 7th place (12–20) Opponent Series Playoffs Opponent Series Jonava Hipocredit 2–0 Quarterfinals Rytas 2–0 Lietkabelis 3–0 Semifinals Neptūnas 3–1
2025–26 LKL champions Žalgiris(26th title)
Notes
References
External links LKL website