New QuadballUK Season Structure
We are determined to grow the sport in the United Kingdom and create more opportunities for the engagement and development of players across official university and community leagues.
We have developed this structure in the hopes that a student who discovers the sport through their university club or similar is able to transition through the season across the entire year seamlessly.
To that end, QuadballUK leadership has decided to make key changes to the season structure.
- The University Season will start in October and conclude with the British University Quadball Cup in April to align with typical school terms.
- The Community Season will now take place over the summer, starting in April with the Community Shield and ending with the British Quadball Cup in September.
- Starting in 2026, the British Quadball Cup will serve as the qualifying tournament for the European Quadball Cup.
This shift will:
- Allow and encourage community clubs more time to support the growth of the university league during the fall and winter months.
- Give university players the opportunity to spend more time cross-playing with community teams during the university off-season.
- Allow the higher level of play of the community league to take place during a period of better weather, improving the safety and experience of players, and aiding retention of new recruits.
As part of this adjustment to the season, we have also adjusted the membership window for the ease of players and teams alike. Previously our season ran from June 1st until May 31st - from the 26/27 season onwards, the membership window will now be from October 1st until September 30th the following year.
As part of this adjustment, membership for the current 25/26 season will be valid until September 30th 2026.
See below for a thorough outline of the season and an example of what a typical season may look like for a player.
University Season (October - April)
Development Cup - November
The Development Cup is aimed at university players and leadership, a chance for new members to join the sport properly and get to know the game better. It may be split into Northern and Southern events, or as a single tournament depending on numbers.
The first day focuses on coaching and skill development, with day two being regular games between university teams.
British University Quadball Cup - April
The national cup for University Clubs, this pits all students against each other in a two-day tournament with group games on day 1 and knockout games on day 2 with a grand final taking place on the Sunday.
This event takes place concurrently with the Community Shield as a separate event.
This event marks the end of the University season until the following October.
Community Season (April - September)
Community Shield - April
The introduction tournament for Community Teams, this is a two-day event where Community Teams compete against each other in a round-robin event with a winner taking all at the end of the weekend.
This event will NOT affect seeding for the British Quadball Cup.
The idea behind this event is for community members to support the British University Quadball Cup happening concurrently, volunteering between their own games to ensure a great experience for the student members.
This event is not open to students as they should be competing for the British University Quadball Cup with their university team.
Community Leagues
Day 1 - Late June
Day 2 - Late July
Two single day events taking place, where every attending Community Team will compete against each other across the two events.
This event will affect seeding for the British Quadball Cup.
Games will be higher level, and teams should expect to play 3-4 games per day. Teams should use these leagues to develop and train ahead of the British Quadball Cup.
Socials will be introduced for both days, encouraging interaction between teams off pitch.
This event is open for university students who wish to crossplay with a Community Team during the summer.
These league days will be planned around other significant quadball events, such as the IQA World Cup, European Games, or other UK or European fantasy tournaments that typically happen around the summer.
British Quadball Cup - September
The highest level of domestic competition in the United Kingdom, all community teams will attend for a two-day tournament with group games on day one and knockouts on day two - with a grand final game at the end of the weekend between the top two teams.
Like the leagues, this event is open for university students who wish to crossplay with their Community Team during the summer months.
The final ranking of this tournament will determine the national winner as well as the qualifying teams for the European Quadball Cup in the following season.
International Events
European Quadball Cup - May/June
The European Quadball Cup (EQC) features the best club teams from throughout the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.
There are two divisions, played over two different weekends, and the timing and hosting location changes each year.
Teams must qualify for these events via the British Quadball Cup (BQC) with their final ranking determining their seed and allocation into either Division 1 or Division 2.
This event is open for university students who competed and qualified at the British Quadball Cup with their crossplay community team. They may also compete at EQC with that same team the following season.
IQA International Event - July
The International Quadball Association hosts both the European Games and the IQA World Cup on alternating years each July.
These tournaments feature national teams who are competing for the title of European or World Champion at their respective tournaments. We send England, Scotland, and Wales to compete at these events via our national team programme.
If you would like to be scouted for one of the National Teams, visit our Scouting page.
Quadball Nations Cup - October
Taking place every year, the Quadball Nations Cup is focused on the development of national teams and encourages nations to send developing players who show potential of joining their national team.
We send development versions of our England, Scotland and Welsh national teams each year.
If you would like to be scouted for one of the National Teams, visit our Scouting page.
Additional Events
Beyond official tournaments and leagues, we know how important regular competitions and events are for the growth and sustainment of quadball both competitively and socially.
We also know that access to games beyond official tournaments opens this sport up to more people - both new and old members. Fantasy and club-run events have been invaluable for this and it's been encouraging to see so many teams and individuals hosting friendly or fantasy events this season.
To that end, QUK Co-Director Matt Bateman is currently working with several venue and organisational partners to announce some more casual and accessible quadball games, designed to invite and attract new joiners to the sport through the Spring and Summer months.
Please keep an eye out for future announcements regarding these upcoming casual games and how you can engage with them.
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If you need support with your team's event, reach out to events@quadballuk.org and/or tournaments@quadballuk.org and we’ll see how we can help!
