Basketligaen Norge, better known as BLNO, is a professional men's basketball league in Norway. It was established in 2000 following the rebranding of the former premier division Hovedserien (1974–2000). The competition is organised by the Norwegian Basketball Federation (NBBF). It is played with a regular season and playoff format.

History Basketligaen Norge was established in 2000, replacing the former Hovedserien that had run since 1974. The creation of the league aimed to professionalize basketball in Norway and improve its competitive level.

During the 2000s, BLNO grew steadily, expanding its team roster and introducing playoffs to enhance the excitement and audience engagement. Clubs like Asker Aliens emerged as dominant, securing multiple titles and raising the league’s profile.

In the late 2010s, the league faced financial difficulties and fluctuating team participation, but efforts were made to stabilize and revitalize the competition. The COVID-19 pandemic led to cancellation of the 2020–21 season, disrupting league operations.

Recent investments in youth development programs and media partnerships, such as with MyGame streaming, have helped increase the league’s visibility and fan base.

Format The season consists of a regular season followed by playoffs, which determine the league champion. The lowest-ranked teams are relegated to the 1. divisjon.

Current teams (2024–25) 2024–25 teams

Team City Arena Ammerud Oslo Apallokka Asker Aliens Asker Vollenhallen Bærum Bærum Rykkinnhallen Centrum Tigers Oslo Vulkanhallen Frøya Bergen Frøya Idrettspark Fyllingen Framohallen Gimle Gimlehallen Kongsberg Miners Kongsberg Kongsberghallen Nidaros Jets Trondheim Trondheim Spektrum Oppsal Panthers Oslo Oppsal Arena Tromsø Storm Tromsø Tromsøhallen

Former teams ClubFirst season intop divisionNumber of seasons in top divisionTop divisiontitlesLast titleBergen Bulldogs 2001–02 1–n/aBærums Verk Jets 2000–01 512003–04Fjellhamar Stallions 2006–07 3–n/aFrøya Ambassadors 2002–03 3–n/aHarstad Vikings 2000–011012005–06Kongsberg Penguins 2000–01 7–n/aKristiansand Pirates 2000–01 9 –n/aLanghus 2011–12 1 – n/aOslo Kings 2000–01 212000–01Ulriken Eagles 2000–01 11 2 2008–09Vålerenga Kings 2002–03 1–n/a

Finals SeasonChampionResultRunner-up 2000–01 Oslo Kings 3–2 Kongsberg Penguins 2001–02 Asker Aliens 3–0 Kongsberg Penguins 2002–03 Asker Aliens 3–0 Harstad Vikings 2003–04 Bærum Basket 3–2 Harstad Vikings 2004–05 Asker Aliens 3–0 Harstad Vikings 2005–06 Harstad Vikings 3–2 Asker Aliens 2006–07 Ulriken Eagles 3–1 Harstad Vikings 2007–08 Asker Aliens 3–0 Harstad Vikings 2008–09 Ulriken Eagles 3–2 Tromsø Storm 2009–10 Asker Aliens 3–1 Tromsø Storm 2010–11 Bærum 3–2 Tromsø Storm 2011–12 Frøya 80–78 Asker Aliens 2012–13 Bærum 81–65 Tromsø Storm 2013–14 Gimle 102–68 Ammerud 2014–15 Asker Aliens 81–75 Bærum 2015–16 Centrum Tigers 85–71 Tromsø Storm 2016–17 Centrum Tigers 87–74 Gimle 2017–18 Kongsberg Miners2–1 Asker Aliens 2018–19 Kongsberg Miners2–1 Gimle 2019–20 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2020–21 2021–22Gimle3–1Bærum2022–23Gimle3–1Frøya Ambassadors2023–243–0Bærum2024–253–2Kongsberg Miners2025–263–2Gimle

Awards Most Valuable Player Year Player Position Nationality Team 2011–12 Bærum Basket 2012–13 Tromsø Storm2015–16Mike Bruesewitz Bærum Basket2016–17Juan Ferrales Kongsberg Miners2017–18Aksel Bolin Asker Aliens2018–19Milovan Savic Gimle Basket2019–20Juan Ferrales Kongsberg Miners2020–21Devin Gilligan Froya Basket2021–22Wayne Stewart Froya Basket2022–23Devin Gilligan Fyllingen BBK2023–24Terrell Brown Fyllingen BBK2024–25Dashawn Davis Fyllingen BBK2025–26Joshua Keyes Fyllingen BBK

Finals MVP Year Player Position Nationality Team 2011–12 Frøya Basket2013–14Audun Eskeland Gimle Basket2014–15Anders Stien Asker Aliens2015–16Roy Nwachukwu Centrum Tigers2016–17Aksel Bolin Centrum Tigers2017–18Brian Voelkel IrelandKongsberg Miners2018–19Robert Hubbs United StatesKongsberg Miners2021–22Milovan Savic Gimle Basket2022–23Jørgen Odfjell Gimle Basket2023–24Terrell Brown Fyllingen BBK2024–25Dashawn Davis Fyllingen BBK

Young Player of the Year Year Player Position Nationality Team 2011–12 Asker Aliens 2012–13 Centrum Tigers2014–15Johannes Dolven Bærum Basket2015–16Harald Eika Frey Centrum Tigers2016–17Lars Fredrik Espe Gimle 2017–18Mikal Gjerde Kongsberg Miners2018–19Sigurd Lorange Gimle2019–20Jørgen Odfjell Gimle2021–22Hallvard Venstad Staff Tromsø Storm2022–23Oscar Hellebust Bærum Basket2023–24Reidar Greve Gimle2024–25Sivert Nordheim Centrum Tigers2025–26Kevin Leraand Nidaros Jets

Defensive Player of the Year Year Player Position Nationality Team 2011–12 Asker Aliens 2012–13 Gimle 2015–16Eric Gilchrese Ammerud Basket2016–17Eric Gilchrese Bærum Basket2017–18Fred Thomas Kongsberg Miners2018–19Milovan Savic SerbiaGimle2019–20Eric Gilchrese Asker Aliens2021–22Lars Fredrik Espe Gimle2022–23Jacob Tryon Oppsal Panthers2023–24Xavier Fuller Tromsø Storm2024–25Jacob Tryon Frøya2025–26Jamal Poplar Frøya

References

External links Eurobasket.com League Page