Arena League 2025 — And Why Three Teams Matter for Bluefins

Parent Guide Series

Entering three teams into the National Arena Swimming League is a deliberate and important part of the Bluefins pathway — but it is also no small undertaking.

Ask any head coach what it takes to field just one Arena League team and they’ll tell you how demanding it is. Selection planning, eligibility checks, availability juggling, relay construction, squad balance, logistics, travel, and contingency planning all happen long before race day. Multiply that by three teams, and the scale of preparation increases dramatically.

And yet, every moment is worth it when you see what swimmers gain from the experience.

At the top end, our objective is to showcase a high-performing A Team capable of competing among the strongest clubs in the country in the Premier Division. This provides our senior and performance swimmers with exposure to the highest level of team-based competition and sets the benchmark for what Bluefins performance swimming looks like.

At the same time, the depth across our Performance and Development squads allows more swimmers to experience the unique Arena League environment. Much of the swimming calendar is spent chasing qualifying times, where racing is often individual and repetitive. The Arena League changes that completely.

Arena League racing is about teams, points, and shared responsibility. Swimmers race for places, respond to live situations, and contribute to a collective outcome. It rewards adaptability, composure under pressure, and the ability to perform for others — not just for themselves.

The scale of involvement

One of the most significant outcomes of fielding three Arena League teams in 2025 was the breadth of swimmer involvement across the club.

Over 100 Bluefins swimmers were involved, racing across the full range of Arena League age groups — 10/11, 13 & under, 15 & under, and Open. This included swimmers from Development, Performance, County, Competitive and Masters pathways, all contributing to team results across different events and relays.

By entering three teams, Bluefins was able to extend the Arena League experience well beyond a small core group, giving many swimmers the opportunity to be part of one of the most engaging team formats in competitive swimming.

The Arena League reinforces a simple but powerful truth:

One club. One team culture. Everyone racing for each other.

Basingstoke Bluefins – National Arena Swimming League 2025 Final Round Review

The 2025 Arena League season delivered three rounds of fast racing, tight margins, and high-pressure environments. Across the campaign, three Bluefins teams — A, B and C competed with pride and togetherness, highlighting the strength and depth of the club from top to bottom.

Below is a summary of how each team performed in Round 3, how their positions evolved, and where they finished in the final 2025 league standings.

TEAM A – Premier Division Review

Team A produced one of the most composed performances of the Premier Division season. Going into Round 3 ranked 5th, the margins were always going to be tight. The early phase reflected that, with Bluefins sitting 6th after the opening events.

As the gala settled, the team found momentum.

By midway through the programme, Team A had surged into 1st place, locked in a fast-changing battle with Guildford, Brighton, Leatherhead and Southampton. The final relays brought the night to its closest conclusion, with Bluefins securing 3rd place, finishing just one point ahead of both Leatherhead and Southampton.

Final League Position: 9th — Premier Division

TEAM B – Division One Review

Team B delivered one of the most dramatic performances of the Arena League season.

The night had a clear local-derby edge, with Rushmoor leading through the early events. Bluefins responded strongly through the middle of the gala, overtaking Rushmoor by midway with a decisive block of swims. Rushmoor briefly regained the advantage late on, but Bluefins responded under pressure in the closing stages.

The result was decided in the final events, with Bluefins clinching 4th place by just one point.

Final League Position: 10th — Division One

TEAM C – Division Two Review

Team C represented a deliberate development-focused entry within the Arena League structure.

The squad combined younger swimmers racing Arena League for the first time with more senior experienced athletes providing stability and guidance. Their Round 3 performance became more challenging due to late changes because of illness, with swimmers stepping up to support Team B.

Despite the disruption, the team adapted superbly and finished 4th on the night.

Final League Position: 12th — Division Two

Final 2025 Arena League Tables

Premier Division

Position	Club
1	Guildford City A
2	Wycombe District A
3	Bromley
4	RTW Monson A
5	Woking A
6	Winchester City Penguins (Hampshire)
7	City of Brighton & Hove A
8	Guildford City B
9	Basingstoke Bluefins A (Hampshire)
10	City of Southampton A (Hampshire)
10	Leatherhead
12	Maidenhead Marlins A
13	Crawley
13	Sevenoaks A
15	Sutton & Cheam
16	Thanet A
16	Atlantis
18	Elmbridge Phoenix

Division One

Position	Club
1	Windsor
2	Wycombe District B
3	Swim Bournemouth A
4	Bracknell & Wokingham
5	Amersham A
6	Tilehurst
7	Kingston Royals
8	Epsom District
9	Haslemere
10	Basingstoke Bluefins B (Hampshire)
11	Rushmoor Royals (Hampshire)
12	Salisbury Stingrays
13	Farnham
14	Wycombe District C
15	Reading
15	Arun Tridents
17	Chalfont Otters
18	Worthing

Division Two

Position	Club
1	Woking B
2	Hart (Hampshire)
3	Dorking
4	City of Southampton B (Hampshire)
5	Newbury District
6	Wantage White Horses
7	Chichester Cormorants
8	Godalming
8	Maidenhead Marlins B
10	Wey Valley
11	Andover (Hampshire)
12	Basingstoke Bluefins C (Hampshire)
13	Swim Bournemouth B
14	Amersham B
15	Seaclose
16	Cranleigh

Looking ahead to Arena League 2026

Based on the final 2025 standings, Bluefins will begin the 2026 Arena League season from the following starting positions:

• Bluefins A — 9th, Premier Division

• Bluefins B — 9th, Division One

• Bluefins C — 11th, Division Two

These starting positions set the benchmark for the new season and provide a clear reference point as preparations begin for Arena League 2026.

💙 Discover Bluefins

At Bluefins, we’re proud to celebrate every swimmer’s pathway — from the youngest in our Skills Academy to our performance squads chasing big goals. ✨ Come and see what makes our club special: exceptional quality coaching, community spirit, pathways of progression, and performance success stories. 🚀 Contact our amazing Ali to discuss pathways and arrange a trial - Find out more at bbfsc.org - Your journey starts here.