Sport

Global governing body officially recognises Super League Basketball in positive push for the British game

About time.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th November 2025

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the global governing body for professional basketball, has officially recognised the UK’s Super League Basketball competition.

Formerly known as the British Basketball League, our domestic division has been through quite a turbulent time over the past couple of years, with teams disbanding, rebranding, and the organisation being completely overhauled from the ground up.

One of those in question was our very own local team, now known simply as Manchester Basketball, along with several other teams changing names, badges and more in line with the ‘new dawn’ for pro ball in our country.

Despite the second season of SLB being well underway, this latest chapter has still had a fair amount of teething problems and significant obstacles, with FIBA having previously suspended the British Basketball Federation’s (BBF) from licensing domestic men’s club competitions earlier this year.

Announcing the key bit of backing and forward step in terms of validation, Super League Basketball confirmed that FIBA have “officially recognised SLB” in a lengthy statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

It continues: “This landmark decision marks a significant breakthrough for the sport across the UK and allows SLB and its member clubs to accelerate ambitious plans to nurture talent, enhance venues, and expand the top-tier league’s reach both domestically and internationally.

“Crucially, FIBA’s recognition also lifts the ban on Great Britain’s men’s national team competing on the international stage.”

ADVERTISEMENT

As a result, they go on to explain that the league will now play “a pivotal role in the staging of Great Britain’s FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers fixture on 27 November” – which also serves as a huge plus for elite national programmes, both male and female.

Sanjay Bhandari MBE, who is currently serving as the Interim Independent Chair of Super League Basketball, commented: “We have been working quietly and diligently to secure a sustainable and positive pathway for top-flight basketball in the UK.

“We extend our thanks to the leaders of FIBA’s Task Force for their cooperation and continued support throughout this process. Together, we have reached a solution that gives our clubs the confidence they deserve and provides our fans with peace of mind after a challenging period for the sport…

ADVERTISEMENT

“FIBA’s recognition is transformative and means that our plans to drive SLB forward as an ambitious, high-growth sports organisation can progress at pace. We look ahead with excitement as we work closely with FIBA, UK Sport and government to ensure the sport achieves the success it deserves across all areas.” With the latest campaign having tipped off in September, they’ve stood tall and steadfast.

The decision comes after a task force with dispatched by FIBA to consult with relevant SLB stakeholders and sporting authorities, which the result being an outcome that benefited both parties: i.e. the body recognising that they represent the best course for “safeguarding the stability and integrity of the sport.”

Sharing their own comment on the watershed breakthrough, FIBA added: “To ensure the stability and continuity of top-tier men’s basketball in Great Britain during this period of suspension, FIBA has entered into a direct recognition agreement with Super League Basketball.

“This agreement provides a framework for the organisation and governance of domestic competitions while preserving regulatory integrity.”

“FIBA, through its Task Force, will continue to work closely with BBF and all relevant stakeholders, including UK Sport and the UK Government, to support BBF in becoming a self-sustaining organisation and to secure the long-term stability and growth of men’s basketball in Great Britain.”

ADVERTISEMENT

We’re glad this long, drawn-out period of uncertainty has wrapped up in plenty of good time for the competition to now focus on the fast-approaching finals early next year. It’s also a nice bonus that they’re happening right here in Greater Manchester.

The Super League Basketball cup finals are coming to Manchester

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity picture

Sport

Greater Manchester stadiums included in the bid to host the Women’s World Cup confirmed

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester football stadiums chosen for venues in Women's World Cup Uk host bid

The locations for the official UK bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup have been revealed, along with the Greater Manchester football stadiums chosen for the honour.

Not exactly a ground-breaking spoiler, but the FA did make a somewhat curious choice when they shared the news.

In case you hadn’t heard the news earlier this year, our nation has officially thrown its hat into the ring for the Women’s World Cup (WWC) in 2035, with England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all set to offer up their arenas as part of the record-breaking proposal.

Naturally, a region as footy-obsessed as ours and with two of the biggest stadiums in the country was always going to be included, but as mentioned, there was a particular detail that lots of people quickly noticed following the announcement.

Credit: The FA (via X)

Have you spotted it yet?…

Yes, in a slightly bizarre but ultimately innocuous turn of events, Etihad Stadium – home of Manchester City FC – has been selected, as was the world-famous ‘Theatre of Dreams‘, the only difference being that it was listed separately from the city itself.

Instead, Man United’s iconic home turf, Old Trafford, has been listed as just that: in Trafford, specifically, as opposed to simply being listed in the same section as its sky blue counterpart.

Now, while it’s true that all 10 boroughs have their own identity, culture (not to mention some subscribing to still being part of Lancashire or even Cheshire), it did strike us and others as a bit odd to put that rather iconic and equally historic venue down as almost separate from the city.

Many would argue that one of the things Manchester is best known for around the globe is the team of Red Devils that play at that ground.

Naturally, ‘Cityzens‘ have had their fair share of fun with the post and, conversely, there’s been plenty of retorts regarding ‘supporters from Stockport’, as you would expect…

Nevertheless, we’re just glad to see the Etihad and Old Trafford continuing to cater to some of the biggest dates on the sporting calendar.

Some have actually argued that the region should have been given opportunities to host more stadiums and/or games as part of the market pitch, as the likes of both Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic’s stadiums were floated as viable or even better alternatives, capacity-wise.

Either way, with the 22 venues that have been selected for the UK’s bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup and us Brits currently unopposed in the race to secure the tournament, the FA are going all-in for the 48-team competition, which would be “the biggest single-sport event ever staged in the UK.”

You can read more down below.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Sport

Stockport County’s Christmas dinner in a cup returns for 2025 as part of new festive food range

Danny Jones Danny Jones Xmas dinner in a cup Stockport County Courtyard

We can’t believe it’s rolled around again already, but with the festive period well underway and the big day just a few weeks away, Stockport County have brought back their viral ‘Xmas dinner in a cup’ for 2025.

Better still, the County Courtyard has seen some new Christmas specials added to its food menu, too.

The local football club are absolutely flying in League One at the moment, having spent plenty of time at the top of the table already and still well and truly contesting those promotion/play-off spots.

If you’re a Stopfordian, that’s plenty of cause for celebration right there, but with the Christmas dinner in a cup also up for grabs once more, the holiday season literally couldn’t taste any better right now.

@the.manc Move over Bovril, make way for Christmas dinner in a cup 😍 @stockportcountyfc #fyp #foryou #christmasdinner #stockportcounty #manchester #themanc ♬ original sound – ✰ Christmas sounds ✰

For those who’ve never seen it before, it’s exactly what it says on the tin – well, cup: a little Sunday dinner in a County-branded takeaway coffee cup, complete with a healthy pour of gravy and pretty much all the trimmings you could hope for.

Yes, including sprouts, because all of you who still don’t touch them need to grow up already.

Currently priced at just £4.50, not only does it contain virtually all the major food groups (barring the customary matchday pints, of course), it might just be one of the healthiest and best value-for-money bits of footy scran around – certainly in Greater Manchester, anyway.

But, as mentioned, that’s not all this year; Stockport are also serving up the new festive hot dog and even a ‘leftover Christmas curry’ in a bowl, which might even be more warming on a cold night at Edgeley Park than the Xmas dinner in a cup or clinging onto a flask of Bovril.

Credit: Supplied (via Stockport County)

Anyone else craving that curry with a cheeky bit of bubble and squeak now?

It’s also worth noting that you’ll only be able to get one of those on Boxing Day, by the way, when the Hatters host Lincoln City in the league.

As for the rest of it, County fans can get their hands on this seasonal scran for the first time this year at the weekend when Dave Challinor’s side take on Barnsley at 12:30pm, and two of the three specials will then be served at home every game over the holiday period.

Speaking of random Christmas food creations, there’s another limited-time-only and potentially divisive example that we’ll also be sampling this December…

Aldi has launched the world’s first lickable pigs in blankets wrapping paper… for some reason

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Stockport County FC (supplied)

More Sport

Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre

Shopping

Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre

New adidas Originals x Oasis Live '25 drop 2 collection release date

Audio

Oasis and adidas drop yet more new merch in the Live ’25 collection

Joe Marchant joining Sale Sharks

Salford

Sale Sharks sign Joe Marchant in positive boost for England rugby

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches