Super League Basketball (SLB) is excited to announce the introduction of an Instant Review System (IRS) for the 2026/27 season, providing Referees with an additional tool to support decision-making and further enhance transparency across the competition.
The introduction of IRS forms part of SLB’s continued commitment to improving the standards and credibility of the competition, while helping to ease the pressure placed on Referees when making key decisions during games.
The system will allow Referees to review specific incidents using available game footage, with reviews conducted by the Crew Chief and one other Referee. An initial decision must always be made before a review can take place, and a decision will only be changed where there is clear and conclusive evidence to do so.
IRS will be available in a defined number of situations, including determining whether a successful shot is worth two or three points, reviewing certain foul classifications, identifying the correct free-throw shooter and determining which player was last to touch the ball before it went out of bounds.
Additional reviews will be permitted at the end of quarters and overtime to establish whether a successful shot was released before the game clock expired, while further situations can be reviewed during the final two minutes of a game and overtime, including potential goaltending or basket interference and whether a shot was released before the 24-second device sounded.
For the first time in SLB, Head Coaches will also have the opportunity to challenge a decision. Each Head Coach will have one challenge available per game, which can be used only in situations covered by the IRS criteria.
To initiate a challenge, the Head Coach must visually contact the nearest Referee, say “Challenge” and make the designated challenge signal by drawing an imaginary rectangle in the air with their fingers. The review will take place at the first game stoppage following the challenge, unless the Referees determine that neither team would be disadvantaged by an earlier stoppage.
The introduction of IRS will also see specific signals used by Referees to communicate when a review is taking place, providing players, coaches, officials and spectators with a clear indication of the process.
SLB acknowledges that the 2026/27 season will be the first time the system is used across the competition and that, as with any new process, there will be a period of familiarisation for Referees, players, coaches and other game personnel.
The system will therefore continue to be assessed throughout the season to ensure it is being applied consistently and effectively, with feedback used to support its ongoing development.
However, the introduction of IRS represents an important step in the continued professionalisation of Super League Basketball and will form part of the league’s officiating framework for the 2026/27 season and beyond.
SLB Chief Operating Officer Andy Webb said:
“The introduction of the Instant Review System is an important step for Super League Basketball. We want to give our Referees the best possible support when making difficult decisions, while also providing our clubs, players and supporters with greater transparency and confidence in those decisions.
“We’re conscious that this is a new system for SLB and that there will be a period of learning as everyone becomes familiar with how it works in a live game environment. We’ll listen, learn and make adjustments where necessary, but our intention is very much that IRS becomes a permanent part of how we deliver the competitions.
“It’s important to stress that the system isn’t there to review every decision or to replace the judgement of our Referees. It is there for specific situations where a review can provide clear and conclusive evidence. Ultimately, we want to get the big decisions right, support our officials and continue to build trust in the competition.”
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