NVL Preview (3rd and 4th October) - new 26-27 campaign ready for lift off

A total of 75 teams will play in each of the nine men’s and women’s sections, all vying for championship or promotion honours come the end of March. 

Men’s NVL 

The action begins on Saturday morning when Sheffield host newly-promoted Darkstar Derbyshire, who were also National Shield winners (pictured above). 

With it being the only game in Division 1 North, it gives the winners the chance to lay down an early marker. 

There is also only one fixture to kick things off in Division 1 South, where more divisional newcomers, MK City, travel to London Aces. 

A South versus West Yorkshire derby opens things up in Division 2 North as Sheffield Springers welcome Leeds Gorse 2. 

Two matches take place in Division 2 Central on Sunday, with Telford testing their mettle at a higher level for the first time, having stayed unbeaten in league action throughout 25-26, at Leicester. 

Tamworth Spartans have dropped down from Division 1 and will look to start their quest for promotion back to that level when they meet Reading Aces. 

A clash between two teams who will be fancied to do well in Division 2 South pairs London Lionhearts Leo and Kent Invicta, who will be boosted by the arrivals of former GB Olympian Nathan French. 

London Onyx, meanwhile, will look to build on their National Shield victory over last year’s semi-finalists The Army when they host London Baks. 

Urmston Grammar open up their Division 3 North campaign with two away fixtures, taking on Hull Thunder on Saturday and Manchester Marvels Marauders on Sunday.  

A triangular is the division’s other action on Sunday, where Harrogate and Merseyside rivals Everton Manatees and Liverpool will be in opposition. 

In Division 3 Central, North Cambridge Academy will host a season-opening traingular between Cambridge 2, GNG Bedford and Norwich Spikers. 

Two triangulars are in prospect as Division 3 South West hits the ground running. First, NVL newcomers Portsmouth United face off with Worthing and Cardiff Panthers on Saturday before Bedminster host Weymouth 2 – also making their bow – and Wiltshire Mavericks. 

London Lynx will hope to begin their NVL journey in style as they visit Team Essex Estonians in a one-off game in Division 3 South West on Saturday. 

Sunday sees a triangular fellow newcomers Red Eagles Luton and Brazukas also make their bow by taking on each other, along with Chelmsford. 

Women’s NVL 

A battle of newly-promoted sides will get Division 1 South up and running as Division 2 East champions from 25-26, London Onyx, entertain Division 2 West winners Reading Aces, while there are no first-weekend fixtures in Division 1 North. 

A city battle between Bristol 2 and Bedminster is an intriguing start to Division 2 Central, while Tamworth Spartans and Wombourne will fight for West Midlands pride. 

Division 2 South’s opening salvo pitches twice-relegated Wessex against Sussex Dolphins. 

The Miners Doncaster missed out in the play-offs last season and will be determined to go one better this time as they open up against Newcastle Staffs in Division 2 North. 

Also ready for action are newly-promoted York Falcons, who will journey south to face Sheffield. 

A triangular is the first action in Division 3 South East with Worthing, Spelthorne Future Stars and Team Essex Ravens going head to head. 

It’s a busy Sunday in Division 3 South West as City of Bristol face Cardiff Falcons and Southampton 2. 

Elsewhere, newcomers Wiltshire Mavericks meet Portsmouth and Plymouth. 

The Steve Prescott Centre welcomes the triangular between Hull Thunder, Chester Amazons and Everton Narwhals in Division 3 North, while there are no matches in Division 3 Central.

Keep up to date with all the NVL fixtures and results by clicking here.