Brand new clubs Birmingham Panthers and Nottingham Forest Netball joined Manchester Thunder, London Pulse, Loughborough Lightning, LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons, London Mavericks and NIC Leeds Rhinos in the League, with each squad reduced to 10 players and at least 50% of games being played in major arenas across the country. Kickstarting the League’s journey to professionalisation, this new competition saw the average player salary increase by 85%.
Following a landmark broadcast deal that made all 2025 NSL games available to view live and free-to-air, three matches per round were shown on Sky Sports, while one was streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. All matches were made available internationally through NetballPass. This unprecedented access for fans has played an important role in elevating the profile of the sport this season, bringing elite domestic netball to a broader audience.
A change to the Play-Off structure was also introduced. As previously the teams that finished in the top four qualified for the semi-finals but in the revamped competition, the top two qualified for the Major Semi-Final, from which the winner progressed directly to the Grand Final. Third place then took on fourth in the Minor Semi-Final with the winner facing the loser of the Major Semi-Final for a place in the Grand Final, held at The O2 in London. This refreshed structure allowed the top two teams a second chance to make the Grand Final, putting a greater emphasis than previously on the League standings.
A host of new rules and innovations were introduced which created closer, more competitive matches, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
SOFT & GENTLE SUPER SHOT
Shooters were able to score two-point shots from a designated area of the shooting circle during the final five minutes of all four quarters.
NO DRAWS
Matches featured a 10-minute period of extra time if the scores were level after 60 minutes. If the score was still level at the end of extra time, play continued until one team reached a two-goal lead.
TACTICAL TIMEOUTS
Each team could call one 90-second tactical timeout per game, called by a player on court after a goal has been scored.
BONUS POINTS
Losing teams who finished within five points of their winning opponents scored one point.