BCB Trophy Set for Expansion in 2026/27 Competition
26 May 2026
The British Championship Basketball Trophy is set for a major expansion next season, with six new teams joining the competition for the 2026/27 campaign.
After a successful inaugural season, the BCB Trophy will grow beyond the core league clubs, adding Cardiff Archers Men, Gloucester City Kings, Oakland Wolves, Plymouth Raiders, Portsmouth Force and Falkirk Fury to the competition.
The move adds another layer to the Trophy and continues BCB’s wider aim of building a more connected basketball structure across Britain. With clubs from England, Wales and Scotland involved, the competition is set to bring fresh matchups, new storylines and a wider national feel.
The expanded format means the 2026/27 Trophy will feature the established BCB clubs alongside the six invited sides, creating a broader competition with more teams, more games and more opportunities for players to test themselves against different styles of opposition.
For the BCB, this feels like a natural next step.
The league was launched with a clear focus on raising standards, improving visibility and giving British players a stronger platform to compete. Opening the Trophy to more clubs helps support that mission, especially by creating meaningful games between teams from different parts of the basketball pyramid.
It also gives supporters something new to follow. Cup-style basketball always brings a different energy, and adding guest teams creates the chance for fresh rivalries, upset opportunities and storylines that would not usually happen during the regular season.
The new additions
Cardiff Archers Men
Cardiff Archers bring a Welsh presence into the expanded BCB Trophy, adding an important cross-border element to the competition. Their inclusion gives the Trophy a wider reach and provides another opportunity for Welsh basketball to be represented on a bigger national stage.
For Cardiff, this will be a chance to test themselves against strong opposition from across Britain, they already have a women's team in the WSLB and now it has a men's team looking to make an impact at a high level.
Gloucester City Kings
Gloucester City Kings enter the Trophy after a standout unbeaten regular season and making the D2 National Final. They now going to be competing in NBL D1 and look to make a big impact in the BCB Trophy. With Ben Canton being announced as the new Chairman and roster upgrades on the way the Kings will be one to watch in this Trophy.
Oakland Wolves
Oakland Wolves add another interesting team to the expanded field. After an impressive campaign going unbeaten all last season and making the semi finals of the National Cup, the Wolves will come into the Trophy with a chance to prove themselves against a new level of opposition and show why they were one of the best teams across the NBL last season.
For Oakland, this is exactly the kind of opportunity that can help a club take another step forward: meaningful games, stronger competition and a platform to show where they stand.
Plymouth Raiders
Plymouth Raiders are one of the most recognisable names being added to the competition. With a strong history, basketball identity and an established fanbase, their inclusion brings extra profile and history to the BCB Trophy.
Raiders aren't new to big time leagues and opportunities and joining the competition should immediately have heads turning!
Portsmouth Force
Portsmouth Force bring another competitive southern club into the mix. Their addition strengthens the depth of the Trophy and gives the competition another team capable of making things difficult for established BCB opposition.
For Portsmouth, the Trophy provides a valuable chance to compete outside their usual league schedule and measure themselves against a broader field.
Falkirk Fury
Falkirk Fury add the Scottish element to the expanded Trophy, continuing the cross-border theme of the competition. Their involvement gives the tournament a stronger British feel and helps create links between the BCB and Scottish basketball.
Falkirk return to the BCB Trophy after competing in last season’s competition, this time looking to make an even stronger impact. Their involvement continues to add a different dynamic to the Trophy, bringing a Scottish challenge into the mix and giving BCB teams another style of opposition to prepare for.
Why these additions are important.
The expansion of the BCB Trophy is not just about adding more teams. It is about building a stronger bridge between clubs across England, Wales and Scotland. That connection matters if British basketball wants a clearer, more visible pathway for clubs and players.
The inaugural BCB Trophy was won by City of Birmingham Rockets, who defeated Yorkshire Dragons in the final to become the competition’s first champions. Next season, with six new teams added to the mix, the road to the Trophy should become even more competitive.
The 2026/27 campaign now has another storyline to watch: can one of the invited teams make a deep run, or will the established BCB clubs continue to set the standard?
Either way, the expanded BCB Trophy is a positive step for the competition and another sign that the league is trying to grow its reach across the British game.