CBL FAQS

If you are a player without a team to play for in the CBL, your first step in joining the league is to fill out the CBL New Player Sign Up form. Once completed, a member of staff from the league will be in touch to advise you of next steps.

The league (and teams in it) are always looking for new players.  We aim to accommodate all players interested in playing in the league, however are also limited each season by the number of teams in the league.  If there are no available playing spots left in any season, please be patient, as the CBL expands every year with more teams and additional playing spots.

Complete the online team registration. Please be advised that the league runs a ‘first come, first served’ policy and are limited in the overall number of teams we can accommodate – so interested teams are encouraged to register early to avoid disappointment.  Any applications received after we are full for any specific season, will be put on our waiting list.

The application for registration requires you have all of your team details together, to complete. It will ask for details of your Team Manager, Head Coach and some information about your club so we can get a better understanding of the size and level of development of your club.  We welcome teams of all levels, from ‘just starting out’, to well-experienced clubs.  However, to save yourself time, please gather all the information you have with regards to contact details, number of teams you are entering and payment for your registration (by either BACS or Card).

Please follow the following link to complete your form online:  Team Application Form.

The CBL provides competitions across the following formats for the 2024/25 season:

CBL Regular Season & Playoffs (October 2024 – June 2025) – All teams are entered into this competition, which is split into age, gender and ability divisions.  Teams play each other once in the regular season, with the wins and losses contributing to the regular season tables. This is then followed by a ‘knockout’ single-elimination playoff tournament, where the top 8 teams in a division play a quarter, semi and then final game to determine the season champion.

CBL Summer League (Summer 2025) – Similar format to the CBL regular season but scheduled over the summer and open to all teams, not just those competing in the regular season.

CBL All-Star Game (May 2025) – Top players from the top division are selected to play in a CBL ‘All-Star’ game, which showcases the top players in the league each year.  The CBL All-Star Game take place during a standalone special event on CBL All-Star Saturday event and feature games and entertainment for spectators to come and enjoy.

The games played per competition are as follows (2024/25 season):

• CBL Regular Season & Playoffs:
  • U10: 10 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination)
  • U12: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination)
  • U14: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination)
  • U16: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination)
  • U18: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination)
  • U20: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination)

*Game allocation will be the same for boys and girls across all age groups

All fees are inclusive of match officials (referees and table officials) and facility hire for the competition you are entering.

Entry fees per team for all divisions for the 2024/25 season:

• CBL Regular Season & Playoffs:
  • U10: 10 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination) = £500
  • U12: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination) = £750
  • U14: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination) = £750
  • U16: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination) = £750
  • U18: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination) = £750
  • U20: 15 regular season + up to 3 in the playoffs (single elimination) = £750

*Game allocation will be the same for boys and girls across all age groups

In addition to the competition fees coverage, all teams entering the CBL for the 2024-25 season will have their own club homepage on the website, providing an online information hub for new and existing players/parents to find out more about your club with links to join.  Our aim is to help increase your membership base to strengthen your club.  We will also be covering all games on social media and via the website – increasing your profile across the basketball community.

Payment for all team registrations can be made in full at point of application or places secured with a 50% deposit, when registering.  For teams who pay a 50% deposit, full league entry fees are due by 15th September.

Entry fees are due upon application.  You will be prompted to make full or partial payment upon completion of your registration application, which is located here: https://www.cblhoops.co.uk/team-application/

Payment for team entry into the CBL covers all game fees, inclusive of match officials (referees and table officials) and facility hire across the regular season and playoffs.

The CBL season traditionally starts at the end of October and culminates at the end of May.  The league reserves the right to slightly amend these dates if necessary.

The CBL hosts divisions across the following divisions for the 2023/24 season:

• U10 (Under 10) – 9 years old by Aug 31st
• U12 (Under 12) – 11 years old by Aug 31st
• U14 (Under 14) – 13 years old by Aug 31st
• U16 (Under 16) – 15 years old by Aug 31st 
• U18 (Under 18) – 17 years old by Aug 31st 
• U20 (Under 20) – 19 years old by Aug 31st 

For further clarity on age restrictions and player eligibility, please follow this link: Player Eligibility

Division 1: Teams competing in Division 1 have the flexibility to include as many National League players as they prefer. This division is focused on providing a performance-oriented platform for players seeking a competitive environment. It aims to challenge participants by offering organized and well-coached competition, allowing them to test and develop their skills. Division 1 is geared towards those looking for a higher level of play and the opportunity to compete against strong opponents.

Division 2: In Division 2, teams are not allowed to field any National League players. This division is specifically aimed at new and developing players within the community. It emphasizes participation and provides a supportive environment for learning new skills through team play. Division 2 prioritizes the growth and development of players at various stages of their basketball journey, fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere.

The divisions offered by the CBL cater to the diverse needs and goals of players within the community. Division 1 focuses on performance and competition, while Division 2 emphasises participation and skill development. Both divisions aim to create an enjoyable basketball experience for all participants.

For more detailed information on the divisions and their specific guidelines, please refer to our website or get in touch with our team directly. We are committed to providing a welcoming and rewarding basketball experience for players of all levels within the community.

The CBL runs to a ‘central venue league’ format which pools resources by all teams in the league sharing the same ‘home’ court and same pool of officials and administrators throughout the league.  This allows teams to participate and compete in a quality driven competition, without the heavy financial overheads of National League competitions.

For example, in regular/National League competitions, teams have to budget for officials and court hire and administration every single game, often running costs into several thousand pounds (£) per season.  The CBL provides a more accessible solution by covering all of these costs in a one time registration fee which covers teams for all of your games throughout the entire season.

‘CBL Sundays’ feature multiple games in the same venue and normally require venues with a minimum of 2 courts to schedule the games on.  Wherever possible, we schedule the games in centrally accessible locations.

Venues we regularly use include:

Uxbridge College, Park Rd, Uxbridge UB8 1NQ

Enfield College, 73 Hertford Rd, Enfield EN3 5HA

Acland Burghley: 93 Burghley Road, London NW5 1UJ

Burlington Danes Academy: 55-96 Du Cane Road, London W12 0TR

Parliament Hill Girls School: Highgate Road, London NW5 1RL

Crystal Palace National Sports Centre: Ledrington Road, London SE19 2BB

All players and coaches wishing to participate in any CBL competition must be licensed with the league via this form: https://www.cblhoops.co.uk/player-licensing/

Coaches must be insured to coach the teams they are in charge of within the CBL and suitably qualified to coach.  All coaches must also hold a valid DBS number and declared safe to work with children.

All players must be insured via their respective clubs, to play in the CBL.

Coaches, clubs and players are free to arrange their own insurance, however the league recommends licensing with Basketball England as all licensed players and coaches with Basketball England are covered by the NGB’s group policy.

*If/when licensing with Basketball England, to play or coach only in the CBL, you only need to apply for a local league license*