Newcastle Eagles Pause ENBL Participation to Focus on SLB Campaign

Newcastle Eagles will not compete in the European North Basketball League during the 2026/27 season, with the club choosing to focus its resources on the upcoming Super League Basketball campaign.

The Eagles confirmed the decision after three seasons in European competition, describing it as a pause rather than a farewell.

Newcastle made their European debut in 2023 and went on to build one of the most notable recent continental runs by a British men’s club. In 2025, they reached the ENBL Final Four and became the first British men’s team to reach a major European final.

The club said its priority for the coming season is the SLB, with domestic consistency at the centre of preparations from September.

Managing director Paul Blake said the ENBL had created “incredible memories” for the club and its supporters, including European nights at the Vertu Arena and a landmark run to the ENBL final.

Newcastle also thanked the ENBL, opponents, partners and supporters who backed the European journey from the start.

The move is a significant one for British basketball. Newcastle have been one of the clearest examples of a UK club testing itself in regular European competition, so a one-year step back places extra focus on how the Eagles reload for the domestic season.

Source: Newcastle Eagles.