All 12 D1W teams are in action across the two days as Endeavour Ipswich Basketball begin their quest to defend their regular season title against Barking Abbey and playoff champs CoLA take on Brent Bulls in an all-London encounter.
The NBL Live cameras will also be taking an early trip out, bringing fans all the action from Cobham's game with Reading over on the Basketball England YouTube channel.
We take a look at all the weekend's action below, with links to live stats at the bottom of the page.
Cobham's first taste of top-flight action will come at home against last season's sixth placed finishers Reading Rockets.
Promoted after their impressive 20-2 regular season record in D2's Pool II, the Cobras also reached last year's Playoff Final before losing out to Sheffield Hatters II.
That shows the quality that the Cobras have on their roster, but playing in D1W is a step up that many teams struggle with, including City of Birmingham Rockets, who were promoted in 2022/23 but only lasted a solitary season at the top level before relegation in 2023/24.
Katie Richards has moved over from Thames Valley and is expected to be a big piece of the Cobham puzzle, whilst Sophie Khlaf, Modiegi Mokoka and Freya Bayne all scored double digit points in that playoff loss to Sheffield and are all expected to return.
Reading have been quiet on the roster front this summer, making them somewhat of an unknown quantity heading into the new season.
American Lindsey Cleary has left the club and joined top four finishers Brent Bulls for 2024/25, a move that is sure to be a huge blow to the Rockets given her 16.2PPG, 10.9RPG and 3.8APG last term.
Sharpshooter Kristina Karpova does return for coach Portero Luque's side however, with Saffie Jarju, Jade Blackburn and Mia Thompson also expected to return.
Given their strength last season and Reading's potential lack of reinforcements this summer, the newly promoted Cobras could enter tomorrow's clash as favourites. John Hobbs will have all the action on the Basketball England YouTube channel from 1pm tomorrow.
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Last season's regular season runners up Thames Valley Cavaliers are at home against Loughborough Riders, with much once against resting on the shoulders of TVC captain Kat Goldsby.
The American guard keeps TVC ticking at both ends of the court and her production will once again have a big impact for the Uxbridge side.
Bristol Academy Flyers put together a number of solid performances to go 9-13 a year ago, sneaking into the playoffs in the process.
A repeat trip to the post-season would be a solid achievement for the Flyers, who start their campaign with a home game against a team who finished one place above them in 2023/24, Anglia Ruskin University.
Worcester Wolves are back in D1W for the first time since 2022/23 and will hope to get off to a fast start to avoid being pulled back down into D2 at the first time of asking.
They entertain Manchester Mystics and their young core, with the likes of Irene Oboavwoduo, Elizandra and Catrina Costa and Isobel Robinson all continuing their development in the North East.
Sunday contains a much anticipated affair between two teams that finished in the top four a year ago, CoLA Southwark Pride and Brent Bulls.
With the likes of Judit Fritz, Saruna Gudza, and Ellie Bishop returning to join Cleary from Reading, Brent will no doubt be looking to push on this year.
Expect CoLA to once again field another young roster, with Adaora Dioramma and Chandera Jones-Aryeh both set to feature alongside exciting young forward Chloe Vella.
The final game of the weekend sees defending champs Endeavour Ipswich Basketball start a new era after the off-season departures of Liv Forster, Christabel Osarobo and Yazmin Edwards.
They take on a Barking Abbey side that flirted with relegation for much of last season before finally pulling themselves clear to finish in tenth, they'll be looking for a more productive campaign this time around.
D1W's Endeavour Ipswich Basketball have also been invited to take part in this season's SLB Trophy, and have been drawn in Group D with reigning EuroCup champs London Lions plus Essex Rebels.
Coach Drane's side will play their group games across the next two weekend, and for a preview of tomorrow's clash with the Lions, click here.
1pm - Cobham Cobras vs Reading Rockets - LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM
4:30pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers vs Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS
5pm - Bristol Academy Flyers vs Anglia Ruskin University - LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM
5pm - Worcester Wolves vs Manchester Mystics - LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM
3pm - Brent Bulls vs CoLA Southwark Pride - LIVE STATS
3:30pm - Endeavour Ipswich Basketball vs Barking Abbey - LIVE STATS
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Main image credit - Luke Simcock
