Emirates NBA Cup 2026 reveals 30 custom courts and dates

Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Reveals 30 Custom Parquet Courts and Financial Stakes

The Emirates NBA Cup 2026 will feature custom-painted courts for all 30 franchises, showcasing an identical visual identity across every league arena ahead of the tournament’s opening night on Oct. 30, Sport e Finanza reported. Running through Dec. 11, the mid-season competition culminates with its championship game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, offering a cash prize exceeding $500,000 for each player on the winning roster.

Visual Design Inspired by Nike Collection

The league designed each bespoke parquet surface using graphic concepts drawn from the Nike Basketball 2026 Standard Issue Collection and its “End of Ordinary” theme. Oversize team names stretch across both sides of the wood, matching the typography featured on the collection’s warm-up jackets. The home franchise’s primary icon anchors the center court circle, while the tournament trophy appears at midcourt, inside the paint, and underneath each basket. Color schemes are specifically configured to contrast with the Statement Edition uniforms that host teams will wear throughout the group stage, quarterfinals, and semifinals.

Tournament Format and Group Stage Schedule

The 30 teams are divided via a draw into six five-team groups within their respective conferences, determined by regular-season records from the 2025–26 campaign. Between Oct. 30 and Nov. 27, every club plays four designated group-stage fixtures known as Cup Nights. Eight organizations advance to the single-elimination knockout rounds, hosted at home arenas of the higher-seeded qualifiers prior to the single-site final in Indianapolis.

Opening Night Broadcast Lineup on Prime Video

Prime Video holds exclusive broadcast rights for the direct phase and opening slate of the 2026 tournament. Action tips off Friday, Oct. 30, with a national doubleheader featuring the New York Knicks visiting the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET (11:30 UTC), followed by the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors at 22:00 ET (03:00 UTC next day).