We are now just over a month away from the start of the 2026 BBF Senior domestic season, when diamonds across the country will once again play host to the beautiful game of baseball.
This year’s campaign sees a record number of teams taking part in league baseball, alongside a major restructuring of the domestic pyramid. Most notably, the NBL expands to include separate Northern and Southern divisions, while changes across the wider league system are designed to create a clearer pathway between playing levels.
NBL
The NBL will feature North and South divisions in 2026, with the top three teams from the South and the top team from the North progressing to the playoffs in September.
Defending champions London Mets line up in the Southern Division alongside Croydon Pirates, Essex Arrows and Herts Toucans. After several years as the only northern club competing at this level, Sheffield Bruins are now joined in the Northern Division by Leicester Blue Sox, Liverpool Trojans and Manchester A’s — all of whom competed in AAA North last season — as well as Long Eaton Storm, who rejoin BBF league baseball for 2026.
Opening Day for the NBL is 12th April.
Division 2
Division 2 will be split into East and West for the new season.
In the East Division, Brighton Brewers, Essex Saxons, Herts Cardinals and 2025 AAA champions London Metros will battle it out. The West Division features Bristol Badgers, Birmingham Metalheads, Bracknell Inferno, Richmond Roebucks and BC Vetra.
Division 2 gets underway on 19th April.
Division 3
BBF Division 3 is made up of 25 teams across four divisions: Central, North, South and SWWBL.
The Central Division includes 2025 AA champions Milton Keynes Bucks, who are joined by Cambridge Sovereigns, East London Latin Boys, Essex Archers and Oxford Kings. In the North Division are Bootle Trojans, Hull Scorpions, Leeds Locos, Manchester Bees, Newcastle Nighthawks, Sheffield Bladerunners and Wragby Warhammers.
The South West and Wales Baseball League (SWWBL) features Bournemouth Bears, Bristol Bats, Cardiff Merlins, Exeter Spitfires and Taunton Muskets. Meanwhile, the South Division includes 2025 Single A champions Hildenborough Hurricanes, alongside Croydon Pirates 2, Guildford Mavericks, Kent Buccaneers, London Marauders, London Meteors, Richmond Dragons and Richmond Knights.
Division 3 opening games will be played on 12th and 19th April.
Division 4
Division 4 is split into six sub-divisions — Central, East, London, North, SWWBL and South — and features 34 teams competing for post-season places.
The Central Division consists of Birmingham Bats, Leicester 2 Sox, Milton Keynes Bucks 2 and Northants Centurions. In the East Division are Cambridge Royals, Essex Seaxes, Harwich Town Bay Area Blues, and Norwich Iceni’s two teams, Rebels and Warriors.
The London Division includes Herts Hawks, Herts Ravens, London Minotaurs, London Mercury and Richmond Barons. The North Division is made up of Co Durham Spartans, Halton Trojans, Leeds Locos 2, Manchester Cavaliers, Sheffield Bladerunners 2 and Sheffield Kodiaks.
In the SWWBL Division, Bristol Buccaneers, Cornish Claycutters, Cardiff Merlins 2, Newton Abbot Brewers, Plymouth Outlaws, Weston Jets and Wellington Khaki Sox will compete, while the South Division features Bognor Regis Cobras, Bracknell Phoenix, Brighton Aces, Croydon Pirates 3 and Tonbridge Wildcats.
Division 4 opening games will get underway on 12th and 19th April.
Division 5
Division 5 is made up of six sub-divisions: Central, East, SWWBL Severn, SWWBL Wessex, South and Upper Canal.
Bracknell Pyros, Middlesex Capybaras, Guildford Millers, Herts Eagles and Richmond Dukes make up the Central Division. The East Division features Cambridge Monarchs, Essex Redbacks, Herts Raptors and Northants Centurions 2.
In SWWBL Severn, Bristol Brunels, New Forest Thunder, New Forest Knights,, Taunton Pistols and Yeovil Whirlwinds will compete, while SWWBL Wessex includes Cornish Pioneers, Exeter Wyverns, Plymouth Outlaws and Torrington Riptides.
The South Division is made up of Brighton Jets, Hildenborough Hurricanes 2, Hastings Pirates, Kent Mariners and Tonbridge Bobcats. In the Upper Canal Division are London Mercenaries, London Mastodons and London Mayhem.
Division 5 opening games will also get underway on 12th and 19th April.
“2026 is going to be a great year for British baseball.” said BBF President, Richard Evans “The increase in teams, players and umpires is a tribute to all our volunteers who commit so much time and energy to this fantastic game”
For the full schedule, and to keep up to date with results throughout the season, visit stats.britishbaseball.org.uk.
Photograph courtesy of Rocker Davies Media