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16 September 2025  3 min read

NBL National Cup weekend opens 2025/26 season

The D1M Wolves have a home meeting with Warwickshire Hawks in what is sure to be an action-packed Friday night clash, signalling the start of the new campaign.

Seven more match-ups take place on Saturday, highlighted by what could be the tie of the round as fellow D1 sides London Lions II and London Elite go head-to-head for a place in round two.

Sheffield Sharks II are also in action, with their parent team in the SLB three-time winners of this competition. The D1 side will be hoping to emulate those kinds of heights and get their run underway with a home tilt against Black Country Steelers.

The bulk of the action is reserved for Sunday with 13 games, including three more D1M participants.

Top-flight Liverpool head over to Greater Manchester Titans, while London Stars have a local derby against London Westside.

D1's Sheffield Arrows were 2004/05 finalists and get this year's competition underway with a short trip to The Sheffield College as the D2 side look to upset their more prestigious neighbours.

Liverpool head coach Michael Wilson (Liverpool)

Men's National Cup fixtures

Back to winning ways

New Liverpool head coach Michael Wilson has moved into the top role with the North West side following the departure of Jay Bradshaw, who led the side to three consecutive playoff appearances, a conference title, and earned promotion back to Division 2 in the 2023/24 season during his four-year stint.

Long-term player and coach Wilson graduates from the helm of the outfit's second team, and is looking to get the team back on track after a 4-18 D2 record a year ago.

"I’m excited to get the new team on court for the new season," said Wilson.

"We are determined to build on the experiences and improve on last year’s performance.

"Our goal is to show everyone what Liverpool Basketball club is all about and the true talent that we have here, and get back to our winning ways.

"The team has been working hard this off season, and we’re eager to make our mark!"

Action elsewhere

The NBL National Cup makes up a total of 76 fixtures to be played across Friday, Saturday and Sunday as the official opening weekend of the season.

There are also contests in the U16 Sure Shot National Cup for both the girls and the boys, plus an impressive 38 round-one contests in the U18 Men's Sure Shot National Cup as well.

Sure Shot U16 Boys national cup Fixtures

Sure Shot U16 Girls national cup Fixtures

U18 Men's Sure Shot National Cup Fixtures

The Under 14 Boys - Midlands Conference II, Under 14 Girls - East and South Conferences, Under 16 Boys - Northern and Western Premier, Under 16 Girls - Midlands Conference and the Under 18 Men - Western Premier competitions all get underway in the first league action of the new year.

Check all the fixtures here

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