NEW YORK, NY — GNUSA
A record-breaking 876 games, to be played across 14 Greek Orthodox communities throughout the Direct Archdiocesan District, comprise the 2025–2026 season schedule of the Greek Orthodox Basketball League (GOBL). In presenting the new season, GOBL notes that this milestone marks the largest schedule in league history, underscoring the continued growth, enthusiasm, and dedication of the GOBL community.
Each weekend, starting November 1, gyms across the region will come alive with competition and fellowship, as 161 teams and 1,952 youth athletes—ages 7 to 17—take center stage in a program rooted in faith, friendship, and fair play.
This year holds special significance as the GOBL celebrates its 10-year anniversary. In 2015, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America merged the Metropolitan Greek Orthodox Basketball League (MGOBL), which served youth ages 13–17, with the JOY Basketball League, serving children ages 7–13. The merger created a unified league under a single board, establishing the structure and foundation of the GOBL as it exists today.
The GOBL also welcomes a new community this season — Holy Trinity/St. Nicholas of Staten Island — joining the league with three teams (B1, G3, and B3) and a total of 30 new players. Their addition reflects the continued expansion of the league and the growing participation of parishes throughout the region.
“The league continues to grow because of the passion and support of its communities. Each game represents a moment of teamwork, joy, and connection—values that lie at the heart of what the GOBL stands for”, notes a GOBL press release.
The 2025–2026 season will also continue to honor the legacy of Nicholas Kokinakis, founder of the JOY Soccer and Basketball Leagues, who passed away in May 2024. Last season, the GOBL recognized his vision and decades of service with a ceremony at Archangel Michael Church, prior to games between Archangel Michael and St. Demetrios of Astoria—the two parishes Kokinakis called “home.”
This year, the Nicholas Kokinakis Memorial Games are scheduled for November 15, at St. Demetrios Astoria, ensuring that his memory and contributions remain an enduring part of the league. “His dream of creating opportunities for children to participate in athletics continues to inspire the mission and growth of the GOBL today”, the press release states.
The 2025–2026 season schedule includes the following divisional breakdown:
Girls 1 (G1): 32 games Boys 1 (B1): 52 games
Girls 2 (G2): 80 games Boys 2 (B2): 88 games
Girls 3 (G3): 102 games Boys 3 (B3): 147 games
Junior Girls (JG): 91 games Junior Boys (JB): 144 games
Senior Girls (SG): 56 games Senior Boys (SB): 84 games
The season will officially begin on Saturday, November 1, with the start of the Division 3, Junior, and Senior Division games. The Girls 2 and Boys 2 divisions will commence play on November 15, followed by the Girls 1 and Boys 1 divisions beginning on December 6. The regular season will conclude the weekend of March 1, 2026, leading into the Championship Games on March 21–22, 2026.
In addition, this season introduces an exciting new tradition: the inaugural “Greek Cup”, a basketball tournament open to all parishes within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The tournament will be held on December 27–28, on Long Island, with commitments already secured from parishes in New York, Connecticut, Delaware, and Philadelphia.
Fans can visit www.dadgobl.com to view the full season schedule and standings. For game highlights, photos, and league updates, they could follow the GOBL on social media.
