Emirates NBA Cup 2025-26: Tournament Preview and Schedule
The third edition of the Emirates NBA Cup is set to kick off on Halloween night, October 31, shortly after the start of the 2025-26 NBA regular season. The tournament has seen the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks emerge as champions in the past two seasons, with LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading their teams to victory. This year, the competition promises to be fierce as teams vie for the coveted trophy and the chance to carry their momentum into the postseason.
The NBA Cup features six groups, with each group comprising five teams from either the Eastern or Western Conference. Teams will play one game against each of the other four teams in their group, with the winners of each group advancing to the knockout stage along with the best non-group winner. The tournament is integrated into the regular-season schedule, with adjustments made to accommodate the group stage and knockout rounds.
The schedule for the NBA Cup includes 80 regular-season games, with a gap left for the tournament matches. Teams that do not qualify for the knockout rounds will play their final two games against other eliminated teams. The teams that reach the tournament finale will play a total of 83 games, with the championship game not affecting the standings. The schedule may see some adjustments to accommodate the tournament games and avoid back-to-back games for the participating teams.
The NBA Cup games will be broadcast on Amazon Prime, primarily on Fridays, starting on Halloween night. The tournament offers teams the opportunity to compete for additional incentives, with every game counting towards the regular-season standings and potential playoff tiebreakers. The prize money for the winning team, MVP award, and all-tournament team have all seen incremental increases over the years to align with the league's collective bargaining agreement.
The tournament format ensures that teams are motivated to compete, with the potential for playoff implications based on their performance in the NBA Cup. The league has secured a sponsorship deal with Emirates for the tournament, providing a platform for the competition to grow and engage fans. As the teams gear up for the start of the Emirates NBA Cup, the stage is set for an exciting and competitive tournament that will showcase the best of NBA talent in Las Vegas.