NBA Cup 2026-27 Format Explained: How the NBA In-Season Tournament Works, Groups, Schedule and Final.
NBA Cup teams once again fight for a trophy, plus bonus cash for those that make the knockout round.
When Does the NBA Cup 2026 Start?
The 2026 NBA Cup begins Friday, October 30, with 10 opening-night games featuring teams from both conferences.
Group play continues through November 27, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals in December. The championship game will take place on Friday, December 11, 2026.
NBA Cup 2026-27 Key Dates
Group Stage: October 30 – November 27, 2026 (Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20, 24, 25, Nov 27.)
Quarterfinals: December 4–5, 2026
Semifinals: December 8 and/or 9, 2026
NBA Cup Final: December 11, 2026
NBA In-Season Tournament: How does the 2026-27 NBA Cup Format works?
The NBA Cup follows a two-stage format: Group Play and Knockout Rounds.
All 30 NBA teams participate in the group stage, where they compete in six groups of five teams. Each team plays four games against opponents within its group.
After group play, eight teams advance to the knockout stage, where every matchup becomes a single-elimination contest.
The tournament then progresses through the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game, with the final two teams competing for the NBA Cup trophy.
How were the Groups Picked for NBA Cup Tournament Draw
The NBA Cup 2026 group draw was determined using teams' win-loss records from the 2025-26 regular season. All 30 NBA teams were divided into six groups of five, with three groups in the Eastern Conference and three in the Western Conference.
To ensure balanced competition, the NBA placed teams into five seeding pots based on their previous season's standings:
Pot 1: Teams ranked 1st–3rd in each conference.
Pot 2: Teams ranked 4th–6th.
Pot 3: Teams ranked 7th–9th.
Pot 4: Teams ranked 10th–12th.
Pot 5: Teams ranked 13th–15th.
One team from each pot was then randomly drawn into each group, creating a mix of stronger and lower-ranked teams. The 2026 NBA Cup groups were officially revealed on June 30, 2026, with each team scheduled to play four group-stage games, including two at home and two away.
What prize pool do NBA Cup winners receive?
Other than that, teams will play for the NBA Cup — the new trophy — and bonus money for the quarterfinalists, semifinalists, runner-up and champion.
For the 2024-25 season, the In-Season Tournament prize pool will be allocated to the players on the teams that participate in the Knockout Rounds as follows:
Players on winning team of Championship: $500,000 each
Players on losing team of Championship: $200,000 each
Do NBA Cup Games Count Toward Regular-Season Standings?
Yes. NBA Cup group-stage games, quarterfinals and semifinals count toward the NBA regular-season standings.
However, the championship game is treated differently. It does not count toward either finalist's regular-season record.
Every NBA team will still complete an 82-game regular season, regardless of how far it progresses in the NBA Cup.
This means teams can chase the NBA Cup trophy while simultaneously improving their position in the traditional playoff standings.
How Many Total Games Are Played in the NBA Cup?
The Emirates NBA Cup features 67 games in total, including 60 group-stage games and seven knockout contests.
Of those 67 games, 66 count toward the regular-season standings. The championship game is the only exception.
How Do NBA Cup Group-Stage Tiebreakers Work?
When teams finish group play with identical records, the NBA uses tiebreakers to determine their positions.
The primary tiebreakers include:
Head-to-head results in NBA Cup group games.
Point differential during group play.
Total points scored during group play.
Regular-season record from the previous season.
A random drawing if teams remain tied.
Point differential can therefore become extremely important, especially when teams are competing for the final knockout qualification spots.
Will All Teams Still Play 41 Home Games.?
No. Some teams will play 40 games at home or on the road instead of the customary 41, and some teams could also find themselves at home or on the road 42 times.
How Many Total Games Are Played in the NBA Cup?
The Emirates NBA Cup features 67 games in total, including 60 group-stage games and seven knockout contests.
Of those 67 games, 66 count toward the regular-season standings. The championship game is the only exception.
Who Won the Previous NBA Cup?
The New York Knicks won the 2025 NBA Cup, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the championship game.
When Is the NBA Cup 2026 Final?
The championship game is scheduled for Friday, December 11, 2026, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Article Keywords: NBA in-season tournament 2026, NBA Cup schedule 2026-27, NBA Cup groups 2026, how does NBA Cup work, NBA Cup knockout rounds, NBA Cup final 2026.
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