The second Guantao Cup National Basketball Tournament is scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 1, 2026, at the Yuanheng Sports Movement Center in Nanchang’s Xihu District, bringing together 16 teams and more than 200 players from Guantao Law Firm offices across China.
Tournament Organization and Field of Teams
Organized by Guantao Law Firm and hosted specifically by its Nanchang office under the theme “Gathering Basketball in Gan, Shining in Autumn Gold,” the three-day five-a-side competition covers 26 different office locations. Rosters are capped between five and 15 players per side, alongside one team leader and one coach, with individual offices permitted to form independent squads or combine forces into joint entries.
The 16 participating teams are divided into four preliminary groups. Group A features joint entries from Kunming and Chengdu alongside Xi’an, Nantong, and Ningbo. Group B groups Shenzhen and Zhuhai with Nanjing, Fuzhou, and Taiyuan. Group C includes Wuxi and Wenzhou, Hefei, a triple-office joint team from Urumqi, Chongqing, and Wuhan, and Changsha. Group D rounds out the field with hosts Nanchang, a four-way joint team from Qingdao, Zhengzhou, Suzhou, and the Tianjin Pilot Free Trade Zone, alongside Beijing and Hangzhou paired together, and Shanghai and Xiamen.
Competition Runs from October 30 to November 1
Competition opens on the morning of October 30 following an opening ceremony, with group stage matches running through October 31. The knockout rounds commence on November 1, beginning with the 8-to-4 elimination round, followed by the semifinals, third-place playoff, and the championship final on the afternoon of November 1, capped by a closing ceremony and awards presentation.
According to tournament regulations, matches except the final utilize running clock timing, while the championship final switches to stopped-clock timing to heighten the competitive pace. Group play awards three points for a win, one point for a loss, and zero points for a default, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the eight-team knockout bracket.
Chinese Basketball Association Rules Govern Tournament Advancement
The event operates under the latest basketball rules and interpretations issued by the Chinese Basketball Association. In the event of a tie in group standings, head-to-head records and point differentials determine group placement. Quarterfinal and semifinal matchups utilize a draw system where qualified teams select their opponents from a pool of remaining unassigned squads.
Spectators and remote supporters can track live schedules and view photo streams during the tournament through the Ao Basketball platform.
Worth a look
