The excitement has begun to stir after the release of the Super League Basketball Women (SLBW) fixtures – what matchups can supporters not afford to miss?

Newcastle Eagles vs Sheffield Hatters – Sunday 21st September: 7:30 PM

Assuming there are no wholesale changes to either roster before the season commences, this fixture has all the makings of a classic.

Coming off the back of their best ever campaign in British basketball – finishing third in the regular season standings – the Newcastle Eagles and current Coach of the Year Chloe Gaynor will be desperate to ride the momentum to mount a serious challenge for the championship this year.

Nevertheless, an opening matchup with the reigning SLBW Playoff champions will assess Newcastle’s credentials as they attempt to retain their title.

The Sheffield Hatters chalked up a sensational 17 wins during the 24/25 season, pipping the Eagles to second position in the standings.

Scoring 100+ points on six occasions, the Hatters boasted supremely gifted stars such as SLBW Playoffs MVP Georgia Gayle and the outstanding Tyia Singleton.

However, the Tynesiders were not short of talent themselves as the explosive Jada Guinn and dominant Tierra Hodges – combining for an outstanding 39 points per game.

With such fierce battles expected in both the front and back courts, this one will undoubtedly be a thrilling spectacle.

Manchester Basketball vs Caledonia Gladiators – Sunday 2nd November: 2:00 PM

Two teams that had their accomplishments fly under the radar last season due to the unbelievable antics of both the Oaklands Wolves and the Hatters – Manchester and Caledonia both showcased a delightful brand of basketball.

Regular season MVP Danni Williams was a force to be reckoned with during the 24/25 campaign – averaging 22.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.

Despite not possessing their own MVP-calibre player, the Gladiators managed to defeat their North-Western counterparts on two occasions – with one outstanding 90-77 victory coming in the SLBW Playoff Quarter-finals.

There will be extra spice and tension during a matchup that would already be dubbed as a physical, bruising contest as Manchester Basketball looks to enact its revenge early in the season.

Both sides will be expecting to claim a post-season spot again if rosters remain unchanged, although an exhilarating rivalry appears to be brewing between these two sides – do not miss this clash.

Oaklands Wolves vs Sheffield Hatters – Saturday 25th April: 7:00 PM

It cannot be overstated how pivotal this fixture could be in deciding the fate of the championship.

A clash of the titans. Sam Ashby versus Georgia Gayle. The reigning regular season champions are taking on the current SLBW Playoff champions. No matter how you describe this game, it will be explosive.

These two sides were both phenomenal throughout the entirety of the SLBW 24/25 season, with the Oaklands Wolves lifting the Betty Codona Trophy alongside the regular season title.

While the Sheffield Hatters stunned in the postseason to win the inaugural SLBW Playoff Final 83-73 at the expense of a devastated Wolves team.

Even though Oaklands fell at the final hurdle, Sam Ashby had a remarkable performance during the Playoff Final – scoring 23 points and sinking five three-pointers in the process.

However, MVP Georgia Gayle oozed class on the biggest stage to register 19 points of her own and grabbed five rebounds.

In addition, her partner in crime, Tyia Singleton, turned in her own monstrous performance – recording 14 points and 10 vital rebounds.

The fact that this game could be the deciding factor in the regular season title is magical. Fans thrive on jeopardy, and this fixture could bring exactly that.