Frequently Asked Questions

 When you register, choose the handicap that best matches your skill level, play and let the app do the rest.  You can choose ANY EVEN even number from 0 to 80 that best describes your current ability.

Your “SPR” handicap will be applied to every match.  The NSL will monitor results and may adjust handicaps from time to time based on performance to ensure fairness in the system for all players but the ultimately the SPR number is DYNAMIC and adjusts automatically.

Download the NSL MOBILE APP at the Apple APP Store or Google Play for Android, create an account and register for the league.

$200 USD/$275CAD plus mandatory official NSL Shirt for $40USD/$50 CDN (if you already have one you do not need to buy a second shirt)

The $200USD/$275CAD includes membership fees $40USD/$50CAD, licensing fees and all applicable taxes.

You can pay when you sign up or pay before the Payment deadline, which will be in September 30 11.59pm EST  Registration and payment deadlines will not be moved. Refunds will be available up to one week before the official draw which will take place in week one of October. Refunds will be subject to a nominal administration fee. Note that until payment is recieved, your spot is not secured.

This league is strictly for amatuer snooker players. Eligibility is for any resident of Canada or the USA who has normally resided in either country for at least 1 year prior to Jan 01 2027 AND is not on the WST professional snooker players list.. Players who are considered "professionals" in other cue sports will only be considered on an individual basis. The NSL reserves the right to review (and refuse entry if necessary) to any entrants based on fairness to all players.  Identification may be requested at any time by the NSL.

The league will start in October 2026 and run through April/May 2027 with a mid season event in Jan/Feb and a final event in June 2027

All league matches are played in your home club. You will only need to travel if you qualify for the NSL Championships.

Register anyway and fill out as much information as you can in the registration fields and we will try to find a club for you

No, the league is set up as players vs player.  However, at the NSL Championships we offer a prize for the best performing club

Each player will play 18 matches over approximately 28 weeks.  Each match is three frames so results can be 3-0 or 2-1. (all three frames are played)

Players play 9 matches to qualify for the first event "The NSL Premier League Championship" held in February. This event will be held in the USA.. Then the remnaing 9 matches plus the first 9 count toward the season ending event " The NSL Challenger League Championship" in June in Canada. This event will also include a Juniors event and a Shootout. Note to qualify for the Challenger League you must play all 18 matches

Yes, but not the same oppenent and only if your opponents agree you can play as many opponents in a row as you are able to do.

By registering with the NSL you automatically play to “two leagues” at once.  Although you only play in one league, your scores are separated and ranked in the Challenger League and the Premier League at the same time. The Challenger League displays your results with handicaps included and the Premier League displays results based on raw performance without handicaps

⚔️ Introducing the Challenger League: Fair Competition for Every Skill Level

The Challenger League is built to deliver a balanced, competitive, and enjoyable playing experience for every regular in the room. Whether you are an expert, improving club player or picking up a cue for the very first time, this league ensures you are always playing on a level field.

How It Works:

• Structured Tiering: Players are categorized using our unique Snooker Performance Rating (SPR) across 8 distinct color-coded tiers. As your game improves, your tier and rating evolve with you.

• Dynamic Handicaps: No more manual spreadsheet tracking or artificial rating manipulation. Initial handicaps are established at the start of the season, and the brand-new NSL Mobile App powered by proprietary SPR technology, automatically recalculates and adjusts your handicap after every single match based on your real-time performance.

Here is how the Challenger League skill levels, ratings, and performance benchmarks stack up:

Tier

Color

Skill Level

Rating

Performance Benchmarks

1

🎱 Black

Elite

0

Top National Level. Consistent 40–70–100+ breaks. Highly tactical players.

2

🟣 Pink

Advanced

10

Strong Competitive Players. Regular 30–40–80+ breaks.

3

🔵 Blue

Competitive

20

Club-Level Strong Players. Breaks: 20–40–60+.

4

🟤 Brown

Developing Competitive

30

Improving Competitive Players. Breaks: 16–30–50.

5

🟢 Green

Beginner Competitive

40

New or Recreational Players. Breaks: Under 16–30.

6

🟡 Yellow

Developing Beginner

50

Early-stage players building basic skills.

7

🔴 Red

Beginner

70

Limited match experience. Newer player.

8

⚪ White

Novice

80

New to Cue Sports.

Before the match starts your SPR is applied. Example if you have an SPR of 30 and your opponent has an SPR of 20, the system will automatically start you with a 10-point lead in every frame.  If your SPR is 30 and your opponent’s is 50, your opponent would start with a 20-point lead and so on.

The “Premier League” is the Challenger League displayed with no handicaps and dynamic ranking applied.  Your results are displayed and ranked separately in two areas. Challenger and Premier, with Premier displaying your ranking with no handicaps and adjusted dynamic scoring.  Just play your matches with the NSL Mobile APP and the APP displays your position in two leagues. One match “two results” To qualify for the Premier League Championships in February you must have played 9 of your 18 matches.

Yes, there will be two seperate events.

YES. You can qualify for the Premier League Championship in February and still qualify for the Challenger League Championships in June by playing all 18 matches.

What is a junior player?

Any player who is under the age of 18 on or after Jan 1 of the championship year (2027)

Can juniors play in the NSL?

Yes, and they pay no fee except annual membership fee of $40USD/$50CDN (plus they must wear the madatory official NSL Polo). All the same rules of play apply to juniors

The NSL holds a live draw on YouTube and randomly assigns players into groups of 10 or more, depending on the league size:

Within each group each player plays every other player in their group over approximately 28 weeks. This means each player plays 18 matches in total.

Matches must be played at the club the player represents.

For one table clubs the minimum group number is 5 and the club is matched with another 5 player club and one winner is determined based on a points system.

After all group matches are concluded the players who win their group automatically qualify for the NSL Championships.  Also, the seeded in the top 16/32/64 in the Premier League and the Challenger League (depending on total league numbers and based on percentages). Group runners up are placed in a wild card allocation draw based on order of merit and can also advance based on performance. Also a small select number of wild cards (juniors, local players to host club and others selected on performance) advance to the championships.  This information will be released before league commences as we finalize numbers. In short group winners always advance and runner's up still have a chance.

Ranking is based on player performance. Matches won, frames won, plus minus, points scored and +/-, head-to-head, high breaks, high break cumulative. Your performance is measured against all players in your division, conference and across the entire NSL.

NO, all advancement from qualifying is based on performance in the league and measured league wide against all players.

Approximately 30% of all players will receive prize money. In a standard group of 10, group winners, runners up and third place automatically receive prize money

Yes, once all registrations have been completed and paid for, the NSL will announce the entire prize structure and guarantee full payment of stated prizes.  Typically, this will be in the range of 75%+ of fees (excluding membership/licensing) or more, depending on scale although Season 1’s record breaking pay-out well exceeded 100% of fees!  We believe in rewarding the players and showcasing their talents by creating the highest quality events with the largest payouts and we anticipate another record breaking payout in Season 2 !!

WPBSA rules apply to all matches, with the following NSL exceptions:

All matches are three frame formats. All three frames will be played regardless of score.  Example final score could be 3-0 or 2-1 only.

·                     Miss rule: A modified miss rule is in effect with a maximum of 3 put-backs.

·                     Mercy rule: In effect for all matches. Once all reds are potted, if the incoming player requires 4 or more snookers, the frame is considered over.

From your mobile device NSL app or desktop, selected the matches you wish to schedule and message your group suggesting a date and time. Your group opponents will receive a push notification requesting the matches.  If they agree, the matches will be scheduled in the system, Play the match and the results will be automatically updated to nsl-tv.com website. If they don’t agree, select alternate dates within the season until all/both parties agree. If two players cannot agree on a schedule to play, both players will be counted as losing the match. In case of dispute a decision will be made by NSL management and a final disposition made.

Scores are automatically reported through the app. As you play your opponent records your score and as your opponent plays you record their score. Simple as that. Use of the APP is mandatory for scoring as league tables etc. are driven from the app.

No, for league play green fees are the players responsibility.  At the NSL championships there will be no green fees

For League Matches: Official NSL Polo is the only mandatory item

Championship and any streamed mateches: Dress Code (ALL MATCHES):

·         NSL Polo Shirt

·         Dress Shoes (no trainers)

·         Dress Pants (no jeans)

·         No headwear* (example: hats and casual head coverings).

*Exceptions: Religious headwear, medical reasons (must be approved by NSL)

Yes, EarPods /headphones etc. are not permitted during league play. Cell phones should be put on quiet mode and only used for scoring the match.

EVENT One THE NSL PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS Mid Season: FEBRUARY TBD USA LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED

EVENT TWO First week of June NSL CHALLENGER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS CANADA LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED. THIS WILL INCLUDE JUNIORS AND A SHOOTOUT.

Mid Season USA TBD

Season End Canada TBD

Drop us an email at info@nsl-tv.com and we promise a prompt response.

1. Drop us a line at info@nsl-tv.com and we will connect.