The NBA Cup 2026 tips off on Friday 30 October, and this year’s in-season tournament has two big changes: the semi-finals move from Las Vegas to team arenas, and the final on 11 December will be played at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Here’s how the format works, all six groups, the full set of dates and what the winners take home.
Dates from the NBA’s published 2026 NBA Cup schedule. Last updated 25 October 2026.
In this guide
NBA Cup 2026 Key Dates
| Stage | Dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | Tuesdays & Fridays, 30 Oct – 27 Nov | Regular-season arenas |
| Quarter-finals | 4–5 December | Home arena of the higher seed |
| Semi-finals | 8–9 December | Home arena of the higher seed (new for 2026) |
| Championship game | 11 December | Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
How the NBA Cup Format Works
- Groups: the 30 teams are split into six groups of five, three per conference.
- Group games: each team plays the other four teams in its group once (two home, two away). These games also count in the regular-season standings.
- Knockout qualifiers: the three group winners in each conference advance, plus one wild card: the second-placed team with the best group record.
- Knockout rounds: single-elimination quarter-finals and semi-finals, then the championship game.
- Standings: quarter-final and semi-final games count in the regular-season standings; the championship game does not.
If teams finish level in a group, the tiebreakers are, in order: head-to-head result, group-stage point differential, total points scored in the group stage, the previous regular-season record and, finally, a random draw. Overtime periods are ignored for point differential and points scored.
Point differential matters, which is why you’ll sometimes see teams keep their starters in a game that’s already won. If you need a refresher on how scoring works, read basketball rules explained.
NBA Cup 2026 Groups
Eastern Conference
| East Group A | East Group B | East Group C |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | New York Knicks | Boston Celtics |
| Toronto Raptors | Cleveland Cavaliers | Atlanta Hawks |
| Orlando Magic | Philadelphia 76ers | Charlotte Hornets |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Miami Heat | Chicago Bulls |
| Brooklyn Nets | Indiana Pacers | Washington Wizards |
Western Conference
| West Group A | West Group B | West Group C |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | Oklahoma City Thunder | San Antonio Spurs |
| Houston Rockets | Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Phoenix Suns | LA Clippers | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Dallas Mavericks | New Orleans Pelicans | Golden State Warriors |
| Utah Jazz | Memphis Grizzlies | Sacramento Kings |
East Group B looks the toughest on paper: it puts the reigning NBA champion Knicks with the Cavaliers and a 76ers side featuring LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey. In the West, Group C pairs the Spurs, last season’s Finals runners-up, with the Lakers and Warriors.
What’s New in 2026
- Semi-finals at home arenas: in previous editions the semi-finals and final were played in Las Vegas. In 2026 the semi-finals are hosted by the higher seed.
- Final at Hinkle Fieldhouse: the championship game moves to the famous Indianapolis arena, best known as the home of Butler University and the setting for the film Hoosiers.
NBA Cup Prize Money
Prize money is paid to each player on the roster:
| Finish | Per player |
|---|---|
| Champion | $514,971 |
| Runner-up | $205,988 |
| Semi-final loser | $102,994 |
| Quarter-final loser | $51,497 |
Storylines to Watch
- Knicks as champions: New York beat San Antonio in the 2026 NBA Finals for their first title in more than 50 years. They open the Cup in the toughest group.
- LeBron in Philadelphia: the 76ers beat the Knicks 106-100 on opening night, LeBron’s first game for the club.
- Wembanyama’s Spurs: San Antonio lost to the Thunder on opening night but remain a West favourite after reaching the Finals.
- Detroit’s rise: the Pistons are the top seed in East Group A and opened with a big comeback win over the Celtics.
How does the NBA Cup relate to the post-season? It doesn’t decide playoff seeding directly, but group and knockout games (except the final) count towards each team’s 82-game record. Our NBA playoff format guide explains the play-in, bracket and Finals.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the NBA Cup 2026 start?
Group play starts on Friday 30 October 2026 and runs on Tuesdays and Fridays until 27 November.
Where is the NBA Cup final 2026?
At Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on 11 December 2026.
Does the NBA Cup final count in the standings?
No. The championship game is excluded from regular-season records and statistics. Quarter-finals and semi-finals do count.
What is the difference between the NBA Cup and the playoffs?
The NBA Cup is an in-season tournament played in November and December. The playoffs decide the NBA champion after the 82-game regular season ends.
Key Takeaways
- Group stage: 30 Oct – 27 Nov; quarter-finals 4–5 Dec; semi-finals 8–9 Dec; final 11 Dec.
- Six groups of five; group winners plus one wild card per conference advance.
- New for 2026: home-arena semi-finals and a final at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
- Each player on the winning team earns $514,971.
