Netball Super League 2026: Key Players, Fixtures, and Season Insights

The 2026 Netball Super League season kicks off with London Pulse defending their title. Key players like Eleanor Cardwell return, new kit styles emerge, and offers live coverage of weekly matches.

London Pulse and Loughborough Lightning Rivalry Continues in NSL 2026

London Pulse and Loughborough Lightning faced off in the Super Cup final, raising the question of whether the same matchup will occur in the Netball Super League (NSL) Grand Final this season.

With double-digit temperatures, longer evenings, and the return of the NSL, winter is gradually retreating. The league enters its second season in a decade-long journey toward full professionalisation. First-time champions London Pulse begin their title defence against Manchester Thunder on Friday, 27 February at the Copper Box.

Pulse have already relinquished one trophy, as Loughborough Lightning secured victory in the Super Cup final held in Sheffield. These two teams, who also competed in the Grand Final last July, are setting high standards, but other teams have credible chances to join the competition in the 2026 campaign.

The season features new kits, fresh faces, and new narratives waiting to unfold.

London Mavericks and Nottingham Forest will compete in the first BBC live game of the 2026 NSL season on Saturday, 28 February at 14:00 GMT. Fans can watch the match live on the website and .

What to Watch as the NSL Season Begins

While traditional netball dresses remain common, several Mavericks players will break from convention by wearing a combination of vests, shorts, skorts, and leggings this season. The rationale is that players perform best when they feel comfortable.

"It's a bit of a no-brainer. We're women, we've all got different shapes and sizes. As a 20-year-old, wearing a dress would have been fine for me, but if you put me on court now I couldn't think of anything worse than wearing a netball dress," said coach Tamsin Greenway to .

The return of England goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell is a key storyline. Cardwell rejoins Manchester Thunder after experiencing significant highs and lows during a mixed three-year stint in Australia. Thunder appeared rusty during the recent Super Cup, suggesting a gradual build-up this season, but Cardwell's quality is expected to make an impact. The team is anticipated to remain competitive.

Following a 45% increase in average attendances last season, the NSL aims to attract even more spectators. Three double-header events will be held at major arenas in Nottingham and Liverpool. Additionally, the Grand Final will move from London's O2 Arena to Manchester's Co-op Live, marking a new venue for netball. Two other venues will host netball for the first time: the National Cycling Centre in Manchester and Essex Sports Arena.

Free-to-air netball coverage continues on the BBC.

Live NSL matches will be available on the website and throughout the season. Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of , commented:

"It's fast, physical and uncompromising, and we'll be there every week, right at the heart of it."

Lightning Strike Denies Pulse Another Super Cup

Skirts, skorts, and leggings are contributing to a new look in netball kits this season.

London Pulse previously defeated Loughborough Lightning to claim their first Netball Super League title.

Players to Watch: Return from Australia, Emerging Talent, and Defensive Strength

Eleanor Cardwell, Jaz Brown, and Gracie Smith (left to right) are poised for significant roles this season.

Eleanor Cardwell, Jaz Brown and Gracie Smith pose on Netball Super League media day. Cardwell has her right hand to her right ear and is in Manchester Thunder's yellow kit, Brown has both hands up to her face and wears Leeds Rhinos' blue outfit, and Smith holds a netball on her right shoulder while wearing London Pulse's pink dress, with each player standing in front of coloured backgrounds corresponding to their kit. — Image caption, Eleanor Cardwell, Jaz Brown and Gracie Smith (left to right) are set for key roles this season

Eleanor Cardwell (Manchester Thunder): The 31-year-old goal shooter begins her third spell with Manchester Thunder amid high expectations. Cardwell was a 2023 World Cup silver medallist with England and holds league title medals from both the NSL and Australia's Super Netball. Her championship season in Australia was with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, though knee injuries affected her tenure at Melbourne Mavericks. Thunder finished third last season, and much attention is on their fit-again star signing.

Jaz Brown (Leeds Rhinos): Formerly a promising tennis player, Doncaster-born Brown is now recognized as England's new goal keeper. She is enjoying her return to Yorkshire after leaving Birmingham Panthers. Brown, 24, is part of a revamped Leeds defensive circle, which includes South African defender Sanmarie Visser. Reflecting on their progress after a semi-final Super Cup run, Brown said:

"We're building a good combination."

Gracie Smith (London Pulse): At just 16, Smith became the youngest player on an NSL title-winning team last year. The Pulse centre completed her GCSEs three weeks before the Grand Final. Having been called up by England A, Smith, now 17, may contend for senior selection ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Despite consistent success, the Super Cup final loss was a disappointment for her. She told :

"I don't like losing. It's a feeling I don't want to feel again."

Netball Super League Structure and Rules Explained

The NSL consists of eight teams: Birmingham Panthers, Dragons (formerly Cardiff Dragons), Leeds Rhinos, London Mavericks, London Pulse, Loughborough Lightning, Manchester Thunder, and Nottingham Forest.

Each team plays every other team both home and away. The regular season features 14 rounds with four matches each week.

The top four teams qualify for the post-season, competing for the championship. The top two teams face off in the 'major' semi-final, with the winner advancing directly to the Grand Final. The third and fourth-placed teams contest the 'minor' semi-final, with the winner playing the loser of the major semi-final for a Grand Final spot. The Grand Final is scheduled for 20 June.

Several notable rules introduced last year remain in effect for 2026:

Super shot: Shooters can score two points from a designated area within the shooting circle during the final five minutes of each quarter.
No draws: If scores are level after 60 minutes, matches proceed to a 10-minute extra time period.
Timeouts: Each team may call one 90-second tactical timeout per game, which must be requested by a player on court and only after a goal has been scored.
Losing bonuses: Teams that lose by five points or fewer earn one league table point.