Season Opener turned Derby Day Clash

September 28, 2026

Nottingham-Derby rivalry renewed as the two clash in the BCB regular season opener.

Opening day for the BCB regular season kicks off on Saturday the 3rd of October. The Hoods are set to return and, for the second time this season, will be hosting the Derby Trailblazers at the Harvey Hadden Sports Village. Both teams have been locked in a fierce rivalry for the past few years with the Hoods currently holding bragging rights after a tight 79-76 victory more recently in the BCB trophy game earlier this month. Now entering the regular season, the Hoods look to consolidate, as they have been, boasting a 5-0 winning record against the neighboring team.

For the Hoods, a win once again will be a huge confidence boost - setting the tone for the season as they look to build on what has been a transitional pre-season under new coach Ben Stanley. As a former Hoods player himself, Coach Stanley instilled the stakes within his players, noting:

“The Derby Nottingham game always had something a little more to it. It’s hard to understand unless you’ve been a part of it, but those games just mean a little bit more to everyone involved. There’s been so much history with ego brewing playing against each other crosstown at various levels and that continues into the BCB even amongst those players who have moved on. We know Derby is always a tough matchup and it’ll be a great game to start the regular season off.”

— coach Stanley on the Derby matchup

With only 15 miles separating the two teams, the deep-seated decade-long rivalry is set to be renewed on October the 3rd.