The fourth NBA Cup begins Friday, October 30, 2026 and ends Friday, December 11 with the championship game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the first time the final leaves Las Vegas. All 30 teams play four group games on designated Cup nights, every one of which counts in the regular season standings; eight advance to a single elimination knockout round. The Knicks are the defending champions after beating the Spurs 124-113 last December.
Key Dates
| Round | Dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Group play | Fridays Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27, plus Nov. 24 and 25 | Team arenas |
| Quarterfinals | Dec. 4 and 5 | Higher seed’s arena |
| Semifinals | Dec. 8 and 9 | Higher seed’s arena |
| Championship | Friday, Dec. 11 | Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
The Groups
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| East A | Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets |
| East B | New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers |
| East C | Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards |
| West A | Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz |
| West B | Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies |
| West C | San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings |
How It Works
Each team plays the other four in its group once, two at home and two away, all on Cup nights. The six group winners advance along with one wild card per conference, the best second place team by group record, with point differential and other tiebreakers settling ties. The quarterfinals and semifinals are single elimination at the higher seed’s arena, a change from the first three years when the semifinals were in Las Vegas. Every game counts in the standings except the championship, which is each finalist’s 83rd game. Teams that do not reach the knockout rounds have their final two regular season games filled in during the knockout window.
What Is New in 2026
The final moves to Hinkle Fieldhouse, the 98 year old home of Butler basketball, after three years at T-Mobile Arena. The semifinals move to team arenas. The knockout rounds are on Prime Video. Group play has an extra Tuesday and Wednesday of games during Thanksgiving week.
Past Champions
2023: Lakers over Pacers, 123-109. 2024: Bucks over Thunder, 97-81. 2025: Knicks over Spurs, 124-113, with Jalen Brunson as Cup MVP; New York went on to win the NBA title that June, the first team to do both.
Related
NBA November schedule · NBA December schedule · NBA scores · NBA standings · Knicks schedule