The British Basketball League is delighted to announce that the 2023/24 season will tip off on Thursday September 14, with an awesome opening week of action as all 10 teams get back on the hardwood.
The opening weekend of fixtures sees action take place on Thursday 14, Friday 15, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 of September, with the following match-ups locked in for the British basketball community to enjoy:
Thursday 14 September, 7:45pm: Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
Friday 15 September, 7:30pm: Bristol Flyers v Plymouth City Patriots
Friday 15 September, 7:45pm: Leicester Riders v Cheshire Phoenix
Saturday 16 September, 5:00pm: Surrey Scorchers v London Lions
Sunday 17 September, 6:00pm: Manchester Giants v Caledonia Gladiators
The opening game of the Regular Season features a clash between Newcastle Eagles and Sheffield Sharks at the Vertu Motors Arena, where Marc Steutel’s star-studded outfit will debut for the Eagles in what is already a historic campaign for them, entering European competition for the first time. They take on a Sharks side that has returned a number of their core players from last year’s successful campaign, but have added further winning culture to their group with astute new signings over the summer.
Friday brings with it a southwest derby as last season’s surprise package, Bristol Flyers face fierce rivals Plymouth City Patriots. Andreas Kapoulas’ Flyers will look to raise the bar once more this year after a historic second-place finish in the 2022/23 Regular Season. Meanwhile, the Patriots will seek a Week One victory against a team venturing into their inaugural European campaign.
Last season’s Playoff Runners-Up, Leicester Riders, also get their season underway on the Friday against Ben Thomas’ Chesire Phoenix. Thriving in recent years as underdogs in the League, last season’s Trophy finalists and the 2021/22 Trophy winners from the north-west will be ready to hand Rob Paternostro’s side a significant test in their opening outing of the campaign.
Saturday brings forth another derby, as Surrey Scorchers welcome last season’s Cup and Playoff Champions, London Lions to town, where the Lions will have to contend with their former two-time MVP, Justin Robinson, who suits up for Surrey this season after a year-long injury hiatus. The Scorchers have had history of bringing their best to Surrey Sports Park when the Lions are in town, so don’t be surprised to see Lloyd Gardner’s side take a dub in their first game of the season.
Wrapping up Week One, Manchester Giants’ newly appointed Head Coach, Brian Semonian, will make his League debut against the Caledonia Gladiators. The defneding Trophy champions, Caledonia have put together a 13-strong roster comprising Olympians and elite homegrown and European talent who will be eager for a domestic win to kick-start their 2023/24 campaign, which also sees them enter Europe for the first time in their history.
January will see the League hit pause on Regular Season action as the British Basketball League Trophy takes centre stage for the month, introducing a fresh Final Four setup on 27-28 January 2024 for the Semi-Finals and Final at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena. The event will see the Men’s Trophy Semi-Final on the Saturday and both 2024 Men’s and Betty Codona Women’s Trophy Finals on the Sunday.
The Regular Season resumes February 01 and wraps up on April 21, but not before a show-stopping All-Star Game returns in March 2024, pitting the finest from the North against the best from the South in a thrilling showcase at London’s Copper Box Arena. Stay locked in to our channels for more details about the 2024 All-Star Game.
Once the Regular Season draws to a close, the pinnacle of competitive basketball arrives: the Playoffs. The elite eight teams from the previous seven months will compete in best-of-three series in the quarter-finals and semi-finals for a spot in the coveted 2024 Playoff Final, set at The O2 in London on May 19 – a one-off game to decide who will head into the summer with the Playoff title to show for their work.
Aaron Radin, British Basketball League’s Chief Executive Officer, said:
“The countdown is now on for the launch of the 2023/24 British Basketball League season. This year, we are hoping to take our fans on an unparalleled British basketball journey and share the game with them in ways they have never experienced before in person at the arenas, on television, streaming and across social media. This is a new look at the league, and we can’t be beat.”
Click below to find the full fixture lists filtered by date and by clubs. Please note, there are some fixtures outstanding which will be updated in due course. All Fixtures are subject to change.
You can keep track of every new signing in the British Basketball League this summer by clicking here. With the countdown to the new season continuing, you can still get your British Basketball fix by following the League on social media or heading to our YouTube channel to relive all of the best moments from last year!