Comprising initially of 13 English clubs who formerly competed in BE’s NBL1 league and one from NBL2, the new league will be immediately open to four Scottish or Welsh clubs, with its clear objective to become a truly national league for Britain and an essential contributor to the development of British players in their pathway towards GB representation.
The key mission for the league will be to offer a platform for British players to aspire to in their development, and it will facilitate the retention, progression and exposure of British basketball talent throughout the country. This will include the reduction in the number of foreign players eligible to play by the 2026/27 season to three, with nine British qualified players also on the bench.
The independent league will be licenced by the BBF and will operate through a company owned by the participating clubs, with Board members and an Independent Chair elected by the clubs, and three directors nominated by the three HCAs. The company’s role will be to bring the game together, improve standards, increase financial stability and commercial appeal, as well as enhancing the player, coach and spectator experience across the country.
Following an initial two-year period, promotion to and relegation from the league will be determined by play-offs between the bottom club and the top clubs from Scotland, England and Wales. A fixture list for the coming season, beginning in September, will be announced shortly.
“The arrival of British Championship Basketball is a big step forward. This new league will bring high quality basketball closer to communities across the whole of Britain and boost our collective efforts to raise standards in coaching and officiating as well as on the court.”
“We wish BCB’s founding clubs the very best and we’re grateful to the Home Country Associations for joining forces with the new league and the BBF to strengthen the British competition structure."
"We are delighted to support the formation of the new league, which improves the structure of the British basketball competition pyramid and allows the Home Country Associations to feed into the pathway to the top of game and align with other leagues and the BBF in a more coherent way.
“It is further evidence of the growing positive collaborative working relationship between GB and the Home Countries. We are looking forward to seeing the teams which have been stalwart members of NBL1, and with whom we will continue to work directly with in a number of areas, strive for even higher standards and we wish them success in doing so."
“We welcome the creation of British Championship Basketball as a positive step forward for the sport across Great Britain. This initiative offers an exciting opportunity for Scottish clubs to compete at a higher level, within a truly national structure. It strengthens the development pathway for our players, coaches and officials, and reinforces our shared commitment to growing the British game in a sustainable and collaborative way.”
“The launch of a new British league is a fantastic opportunity to provide a key link in the pathway for players across the country from participation to high performance. It will offer a platform for British players to aspire to in their development, fully supported by BBF and the three Home Nations, and will contribute greatly towards the retention, development and exposure of British basketball talent throughout the country.”
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