Which rules do we referee under in England in 2026/27?

Basketball England's National League regulations say all games are played under the FIBA Official Basketball Rules, unless the regulations say otherwise. The 2026 edition of the FIBA rules took effect worldwide on 1 October 2026, and Basketball England's 2026/27 pre-season officiating conferences covered the new rules.

Basketball England adds competition rules on top of FIBA, which referees must enforce. In the Junior NBL these include:

• limits on zone defence and the full-court press in some age groups, with an officials' time-out warning and then bench ("B") technical fouls for breaches;
• the All Must Play rule in some Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 leagues, with a substitution-only stoppage at 5:00 in the 1st and 3rd quarters;
• a ban on spectators' air horns and whistles, which the crew chief can stop the game to remove.

The FIBA rules are the default; local leagues and schools competitions can set their own modifications.