What Comes After League 1 in Basketball?

So, you’ve been following a team in League 1 and now you’re asking, “What’s next?” This is a common question for fans, parents of young players, and even players themselves. Here’s the quick answer: in most countries, League 1 isn’t actually the top of the mountain. There’s usually a league above it—often called the Premier League or Pro League—where competition gets even tougher and stakes are higher.

But getting there isn’t as simple as just winning more games. Teams have to earn promotion, which usually means finishing at or near the top of the League 1 table by season’s end. Sometimes there are playoffs to decide who goes up. Other times, the top team or top two teams move up automatically. A lot depends on how the local basketball system is set up, since league structures differ around the world.

If you’re thinking this might work the same way everywhere, it doesn’t! For example, in England, the move from National Basketball League Division 1 up to the British Basketball League works differently than in Spain or France. In some places, a club has to meet certain financial or facility requirements before they’re officially allowed to move up, and you’d be surprised how often this stops even great teams. There’s a lot more to it than just winning on the court.

• The League 1 Ladder — What's Above?
• How Promotion Really Works
• What Teams Need to Move Up
• What Changes for Players and Fans?

The League 1 Ladder — What's Above?

When people hear "League 1" in basketball leagues, they sometimes assume that's the best a team can do. It's not. Most places have one or even two higher divisions. If you're following basketball in England, the next step after National Basketball League (NBL) Division 1 is the British Basketball League (BBL), where all the big clubs play. In France, the top league is the LNB Pro A, just above Pro B. Spain has its Liga ACB right at the top, and teams fight hard to get in there from the LEB Oro below.

The jump is huge. Teams that make it out of League 1 suddenly get national TV spots, bigger crowds, and a shot at playing against professional imports and former NBA players. The whole pace of the game gets faster, and the travel schedule gets hectic, too. Sometimes it doesn't feel fair since only a tiny percentage of teams make it up every season. For example, in the 2023-24 English NBL Division 1, only two teams earned a shot at moving up, out of more than a dozen competing.

Another thing that surprises a lot of fans is that getting promoted isn't just about winning. Clubs usually need to show they have enough money, meet arena standards, and can handle the stress of a bigger league. If a promoted team can't check every box, the league can block them from moving up. That actually happened in France in 2022, when a promotion-winning team didn’t get a Pro A license because their gym was too small.

How Promotion Really Works

If you’ve ever watched the last game of the basketball season, you know how tense things get when promotion is on the line. Moving up from League 1 doesn’t just depend on winning games, though that’s definitely the first step. Usually, the teams sitting at the top of the standings by the end of the season get a chance to move up to the next league—most often called a Premier League or sometimes the Pro League, depending on the country. This step up is called promotion.

Let’s break down how promotion usually works, but keep in mind, every country has its own rules. Here’s the most typical path in basketball:

• The top one or two teams in League 1 automatically move up at the end of the regular season. This is straight promotion—no extra games needed.
• If the league runs a playoff, then it’s not over yet. Top teams (usually the top 4 or 8) play a knockout tournament. The winner or even both finalists can be promoted.
• Sometimes, it’s not just about the final ranking—clubs might need to prove they have the right facilities or enough money to operate in the higher league. Teams without these get blocked from promotion, and the league will offer the spot to the next one down in the table.

For example, in England’s National Basketball League, finishing in the top two doesn’t mean automatic entry to the British Basketball League. Clubs have to pass a licensing process that checks things like gym size, finances, and youth programs. Spain’s basketball pyramid is even more detailed, with both on-court results and off-court requirements, like financial stability and a minimum capacity for arenas.

Tip for fans: Always check the league’s official website around play-off time, because requirements can change. You’ll see a lot of talk about licensing or applications for higher leagues. Sometimes the team you thought was moving up just misses out because they don’t meet off-court rules.

It’s not just about what happens on the court. So, if you’re rooting for your local club to take the next step, start paying attention to updates beyond box scores—those off-court moves matter just as much as winning games at this level.

What Teams Need to Move Up

Getting promoted from League 1 isn’t just about dunking on everyone and topping the standings. Teams need to check off a shortlist of must-haves—some on the court, others behind the scenes.

• Basketball leagues usually demand a team finish in the very top spots to qualify for promotion—most often first or second, or by winning a playoff.
• Clubs often have to show they’ve got enough financial backing to survive at the next level. Leagues don’t want teams collapsing mid-season because they ran out of cash.
• Facilities matter. Higher leagues sometimes require a minimum arena capacity, locker room standards, or access for broadcast crews. For instance, the British Basketball League wants venues to hold at least 1,000 fans.
• You can’t shortcut paperwork: there are usually licensing applications the club has to submit, and deadlines aren’t just suggestions. Miss one and you could lose your spot.
• Some leagues look at the team’s youth or community programs. They want to know the club is building basketball, not just importing talent for a quick win.

Here’s a look at a few promotion criteria from around Europe and what’s typically required for the jump up a division:

One more thing—some teams get promoted on paper but can’t actually make the jump. Maybe their gym is too small, or the club’s finances aren’t all sorted. A few years ago, a team in England even finished at the top spot but had to stay down because of a venue snag. Before teams pop the champagne, they have to tick all the boxes.

What Changes for Players and Fans?

When a team jumps from League 1 to the next level, life shifts big time for both players and fans. The most obvious change? The level of play goes up fast. Players face tougher opponents, bigger crowds, and often, more media attention. Suddenly, training gets more intense and teams travel longer distances, sometimes even flying to away games instead of just hopping on a bus.

For players, moving up usually means:

• Practicing more often—sometimes daily instead of a few times a week.
• Better facilities, like upgraded gyms and courts.
• Access to nutritionists and strength coaches, which is pretty rare at lower levels.
• Contracts! In higher leagues, players can earn real salaries or even sign sponsorship deals.

Fans get more than just fancier basketball. There’s usually better coverage, with games streamed or shown on TV, and more updates on social media. Tickets may cost a bit more, but you’re paying for a higher-quality product. Merchandise stands pop up more often, and you might even see a mascot running around at games.

Here’s a quick snapshot so you can see the difference:

The move up shakes up the routine for everyone. Players need to focus on recovery and fitness more than ever, and fans have to plan around bigger games and sometimes pricier tickets. Want to support your team at the next level? Stay loud at home games, travel when you can, and grab team gear—it all helps, and trust me, the players notice. The excitement, stress, and chance for glory all get dialed up as teams aim higher in the basketball leagues pyramid.