CBL Full-Screen Menu

CBL COMPETITIONS STRUCTURE

UPDATED FOR THE 2025/26 SEASON

The competitions structure governs the Community Basketball League (CBL)for the 2025/26 season and sets out how games in each division will be competitively organised.

Unless otherwise stated, the CBL follows the official Basketball England Rules of Basketball as the governing framework for play.

All coaches and team managers are required to read and share the competiton structures and ensure their players understand them before participating.

Central Venue League Format

The CBL operates as a Central Venue League (CVL) — all games are played at the same venue each week, using the same court, officials, and equipment for all teams. This:

Keeps costs low compared to National League play
Creates a weekly tournament atmosphere with multiple divisions playing in the same venue
Simplifies logistics for teams, players, and parents

Season Dates

Regular Season: 5th October 2025 – 24th May 2026
Playoffs: 2 weeks immediately following the regular season
Finals Showcase: Sunday 7th June 2026 — season-ending event with all division championship games and award presentations

Divisions

Mixed Divisions (Boys & Girls)

U10 Mixed
U12 Mixed – Division 1 & Division 2

Boys Divisions

U14 Boys – Division 1 & Division 2
U16 Boys – Division 1 & Division 2
U18 Boys – Division 1 & Division 2
U20 Men’s

Girls Divisions

U14 Girls
U16 Girls
U19 Girls

Age Eligibility: Players must be under the stated age on 31st August 2025.
Example: A player who is 13 or younger on 31st August 2025 is eligible for U14.

Regular Season Format

Division 1: Each team plays every other team once.
Division 2: Each team plays every other team once.
Seeding: Final standings are based on win/loss record, then points difference if tied.

Playoffs Format

Division 1 (Top 8 Teams)

Quarter Finals:
1 vs 8
2 vs 7
3 vs 6
4 vs 5

Semi Finals:
Winner (1 vs 8) vs Winner (4 vs 5)
Winner (2 vs 7) vs Winner (3 vs 6)

Final:
Winner of Semi 1 vs Winner of Semi 2

Division 2 (Top 4 Teams)

Semi Finals:
1 vs 4
2 vs 3

Final:
Winner of Semi 1 vs Winner of Semi 2

PLAY IN THE CBL

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

SIGN UP

WCBL

CHECK OUT WHAT OUR SISTERS ARE DOING OVER IN THE WCBL

The Community Basketball League (CBL) is the most coveted grassroots basketball competition in London with over 2,000 registered players representing North, East, West, and South London. Our league provides organised competitions and playing opportunities for a wide range of abilities from early-stage beginners through to the future stars of our game! We strive to drive excitement and character-building playing experiences for young people across our league, while promoting the values of positive sports competition so our players develop lifelong healthy habits and an appreciation and love of the game.