The British Basketball League (BBL) is pleased to confirm the structure of their competitions - the BBL Championship & Playoffs, the BBL Cup, and the BBL Trophy - for the 2009/10 season, which begins in September.

Of note are significant changes to one of the peripheral competitions, the BBL Trophy, which now take the form of a straight knockout competition and incorporates the top 3 EBL Division 1 teams from last season (Reading Rockets, Manchester Magic & London Leopards). The first round and quarter-finals will be one-off games, with the semi-finals being contested over two legs (home & away) and being decided according to aggregate score. The culmination of the BBL Trophy will take place in a one- off game at a central venue in mid March.

The BBL Cup format will remain the same as last season with 3 teams receiving a bye from the 1st Round based on their BBL Championship position last season (Newcastle Eagles - 1st, Everton Tigers - 2nd & Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders - 3rd). As with the Trophy competition, the opening rounds will be one-off games, with the semi finals contested over two legs (home & away) and decided on aggregate score. The conclusion of the BBL Cup competition will take place in a one-off game at a central venue in January, when the first piece of silverware of the season is handed out.

The BBL Championship season will begin on Friday 25th September and the format will remain the same as the recently completed 2008/09 season save for the addition of a 13th team - Essex Pirates. Teams will each play 36 regular season games, with sides meeting one another once at home, once away, and once home or away. Two league points are awarded for a win, and the top eight teams will progress to the BBL Championship Playoffs in April.

The format for the post-season also sees a modification. Whilst the quarter-final games will remain as one-off encounters (1st vs. 8th, 2nd vs. 7th, 3rd vs. 6th, 4th vs. 5th) the semi final rounds will now be played over two legs (home & away) with the higher seed having choice of home advantage in the either the 1st or 2nd leg - aggregate scores will determine the victors.

The climax of the season will now be a single day showpiece event in early May.

The full fixture list, BBL Cup and BBL Trophy draws, are due to be announced in late June/early July.