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4 September 2025  3 min read

New slot & venue for Academy Finals with a month to go until 2025/26 opener

Switching out of its traditional slot to avoid a clash with BUCS Big Wednesday, this year's showpiece will be held on Thursday 26 March 2026, at Essex Sports Arena.

The EABL and WEABL's biggest games will be heading back to the East region for the first time since 2018/19, when Charnwood College Riders claimed both titles on a historic day for their programme.

The move should help with engaging Academy fans across the country, ensuring the competition's biggest games can be seen by as many eyes as possible next Spring.

Both the EABL and WEABL get underway on Wednesday 8 October 2025, with the first half of the campaign drawing to a close on 10 December 2025 ahead of the mid-season break.

Firing back into life on 14 January 2026, it's then a sprint to the finish for the end of the regular season on 11 February 2026.

Copleston aim for WEABL repeat

Last year's WEABL champs Copleston will be looking to go back-to-back, but that won't be easy following the departure of Finals MVP Hannah Gray (pictured above) and influential forward Louisa Gibbins.

The Suffolk programme begin their South Conference season away to Oaklands Wolves, with a trip to perennial rivals City of London Academy - Southwark on 3 December 2025 the pick of the first half fixtures.

The two teams are set to meet again to end the regular season in February for what could be a crucial clash for both teams.

Last season's beaten finalists Manchester Mystics get their schedule underway against 2021/22 finalists Nottingham Academy Wildcats in the North Conference, with Milton Keynes 5 Dimensions - The Hazeley Academy set for a follow up to their 2024/25 debut.

BMET City of Birmingham Rockets have also joined the party up North, bringing the conference to six teams, and the WEABL to 12 programmes overall.

WEABL fixtures 2025/26

Barking try to overcome roster overhaul

Strengthening their grip on the title of the EABL's most successful programme with a sixth crown a year ago, Barking will have to hit the ground running with some fresh faces if they're to repeat.

All five starters from BA's 69-54 victory over Myerscough have now graduated, including the game's MVP winner, 7’1” forward Lewis Obiorah, South Conference Regular Season MVP Ethan Conway, plus back-to-back South Conference Defensive Player of the Year Amarlie Wilkinson.

Coach Broadmore's side have an early test at home to JMA Reading Rockets before heading across London for a clash with rivals City of London Academy - Southwark.

Myerscough College were top dogs in the North a year ago and will look to repeat that feat in 2025/26. They kick things off on the road against SGS College before heading home for a contest against North West rivals Manchester Magic on 15 October 2025.

The much-anticipated clashes between Charnwood and Myerscough are on 19 November 2025 (Charnwood) and 4 February 2026 (Myerscough), who fixtures that are always a standout on the EABL fixture list.

EABL fixtures 2025/26