The NBA Cup 2026 tipped off with all 30 teams competing for the championship, culminating in the final on December 11 at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The New York Knicks enter as defending champions.
The NBA Cup is underway in its fourth edition, with 30 teams vying for the title won last year by the New York Knicks, Basketball-World reported. A total of 67 games are scheduled before the final on December 11. The tournament structure has seen a significant change, with the quarterfinals and semifinals now hosted by the higher-seeded teams, moving away from the neutral-site format used through 2025.
How the 2026 NBA Cup Format Works
The fundamental format of the NBA Cup remains unchanged for 2026. All 30 teams have been divided within their respective conferences into six groups of five teams each. The seeding for these groups was based on the teams’ regular season 2025/26 records. During the group stage, each team plays four games—one against each of the other four teams in its group—with two games played at home and two on the road.
Qualification for the knockout stage is determined by group performance. The six group winners advance automatically, along with the best second-place team from each conference, which receive wildcards. This creates an eight-team field to determine the champion in a single-elimination tournament. All Cup games, with the exception of the final, count toward the regular NBA season record.
Key Groups for the 2026 NBA Cup
The groups were drawn in early July, setting up several compelling matchups. In the Western Conference, Group C stands out with a marquee trio: the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors. In the Eastern Conference, the defending champion New York Knicks are grouped with teams like Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Miami. LeBron James will participate with the Philadelphia 76ers in this year’s tournament.
Schedule and Dates for the Group Stage
The group phase is spread over nearly a month, designed to fit around the NBA calendar. Games are scheduled for five Fridays, plus the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The group stage consists of 60 games in total.
2026 NBA Cup Finals: A New Tradition
The most significant change for the 2026 tournament is the location of the final games. Las Vegas, which had hosted the final rounds since the event’s inception, is no longer the site for the knockout stage. The quarterfinals and semifinals will now be held in the home arenas of the qualifying teams, with the higher-seeded team hosting. Only the championship game will remain on a neutral court.
For this year’s final on December 11, the NBA has selected a venue with deep basketball roots. The championship will be decided at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Opened in 1928, the historic arena seats approximately 9,100 spectators and is regarded as one of the most famous basketball venues in the United States.
Previous NBA Cup Champions
The New York Knicks are the defending champions and begin the 2026 edition as title holders. New York defeated the San Antonio Spurs in last year’s final with a score of 124-113. That victory made the Knicks the first team to win both the NBA Cup and the NBA Championship in the same season. The two teams met again in the NBA Finals following the Cup, with the Knicks prevailing to secure both titles.
Final Scheduled for December 11
- When does the NBA Cup 2026 final take place?
- The final is scheduled for December 11, 2026.
- Where is the NBA Cup 2026 final being played?
- The championship game will be held at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
- How do teams qualify for the knockout rounds?
- The six group winners and the best second-place team from each conference advance to the quarterfinals.
- What is new for the 2026 NBA Cup?
- For the first time, the semifinals will be hosted by the higher-seeded teams, ending the neutral-site format for those rounds.
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