Written by Alex Seftel
The National Athletics League has announced details of its 2026 season.
As before, there will be three Premiership fixtures. These will take place on 23 May, 11 July and 22 August.
The season will open up in Derby, before returning to Woodford Green and finishing at Eton.
On those same dates, there will also be three Championship fixtures divided into North, South, West and East regional groups.
Additionally, the Championship Promotion Final will be on 12 September at Oxford Horspath.
It will feature eight clubs, namely the top two finishers in each of the regional groups after the initial three matches.
The teams finishing first and second in that final in September will be promoted to the Premiership for the 2027 season, while the Premiership’s bottom two sides will be demoted to the Championship.
Swindon Harriers are welcomed as a new club joining the competition and will be placed in the Championship West division for the upcoming campaign.
Tonbridge AC and Swansea Harriers were promoted to the Premiership last year, while City of Sheffield and Dearne and Shaftesbury Barnet were relegated.
The latter pair return to the Championship North and Championship East respectively, which they competed in during the 2024 season.
Among the other changes, Herne Hill Harriers and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers AC have been transferred from the Championship East to Championship South.
Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC are moving from the Championship West to the Championship South.
Southampton AC are no longer part of the NAL.
The full league structure can be found here.
Full 2026 NAL season breakdown:
Premiership: Derby – 23 May, Woodford Green – 11 July, Eton – 22 August contested by Birchfield Harriers, Glasgow Jaguars, Harrow AC, Swansea Harriers, Thames Valley Harriers, Tonbridge AC, Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow AC and Woodford Green with Essex Ladies.
Championship North: Liverpool – 23 May, Sheffield – 11 July and Trafford – 22 August contested by City of Liverpool, City of Sheffield and Dearne AC, City of York, Notts AC, Sale Harriers Manchester and Trafford AC.
Championship South: Crawley – 23 May, Blackheath – 11 July and Kingston – 22 August contested by Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC, Blackheath and Bromley Harriers AC, City of Portsmouth AC, Crawley AC, Herne Hill Harriers and Kingston AC and Poly.
Championship West: Yate – 23 May, Bournemouth – 11 July and Yeovil – 22 August contested by Bournemouth AC, Cardiff AAC, Swindon Harriers, Winchester and District AC, Yate AC, and Yeovil Olympiads.
Championship East: Chelmsford – 23 May, Stevenage – 11 July, Hendon – 22 August contested by Belgrave Harriers, Chelmsford AC, Havering AC, Herts Phoenix and Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers.