NBA Cup 2026 Schedule: Full Groups, Fixtures, Dates, Times, How to Watch

The NBA Cup 2026 Schedule is out. The Emirates NBA Cup returns for its fourth season beginning October 30, 2026, with all 30 teams divided into six five-team groups — three per conference — competing across a group stage that runs through November 27. The knockout stage follows in December, with the championship game set for December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The NBA announced the complete tournament schedule on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Here is every group, every fixture, every start time, and how to watch.

How the 2026 NBA Cup Works

Each team plays four group-stage games — two home, two away. The five group winners plus three wild-card teams advance to a single-elimination knockout stage. All NBA Cup games except the championship count toward the regular-season standings, which means nothing in the group stage is a throwaway.

Eight teams advance. Twenty-two go home. Every group game matters.

2026 NBA Cup Groups

Eastern Conference

East Group A: Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors

East Group B: Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers

East Group C: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards

Western Conference

West Group A: Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz

West Group B: Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder

West Group C: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs

Groups are based on 2025-26 regular-season records.

NBA Cup 2026 Full Group Stage Schedule

Friday, October 30

The NBA Cup 2026 opens with a ten-game slate on October 30. Prime Video carries the two marquee games — Knicks-76ers in East Group B and Lakers-Warriors in West Group C. Both are Group B and Group C games with immediate implications.

Friday, November 6

Prime Video carries the 76ers-Cavaliers East Group B matchup at 7:30 pm ET and Lakers-Trail Blazers in West Group C at 10:00 pm.

Friday, November 13

Prime Video highlights this Friday with Knicks-Pacers at 7:00 pm ET and Warriors-Spurs at 9:30 pm ET — two of the most watchable group-stage games on the November 13 slate.

Friday, November 20

Prime Video carries Toronto-Detroit at 7:30 pm ET and Rockets-Nuggets at 10:00 pm ET on November 20.

Tuesday, November 24

NBC carries two games on Tuesday, November 24 — Celtics-Wizards and Mavericks-Nuggets. Both are nationally broadcast windows on over-the-air television as part of the NBA’s partnership with NBC in 2026-27.

Wednesday, November 25

ESPN carries three games on November 25 — Heat-76ers, Timberwolves-Thunder, and Spurs-Trail Blazers. This is the busiest broadcast day of the group stage in terms of national TV windows.

Friday, November 27

The final group-stage Friday is the largest single day of the schedule — eleven games. Prime Video carries Heat-Knicks to open the night and Lakers-Spurs in the late window. After November 27, the group stage is complete and the knockout bracket takes over.

NBA Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Schedule

Quarterfinals

December 4–5, 2026

The single-elimination portion of the tournament begins with the quarterfinals. Eight teams — five group winners plus three wild-card teams — compete for four spots in the semifinals.

Semifinals

December 8–9, 2026

The four remaining teams compete for two spots in the championship game.

NBA Cup Championship 2026

December 11, 2026
Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup champion is crowned at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This is the only NBA Cup game that does not count toward the regular-season standings. Every other game in the tournament — group stage and knockout rounds — affects each team’s regular-season record.

How to Watch NBA Cup 2026

Fans should check local listings and confirm broadcast details before each game, as schedules are subject to change.

NBA Cup 2026 Schedule Summary

FAQ

Q: When does the NBA Cup 2026 start?
A: The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup Schedule begins Friday, October 30, 2026, with a ten-game opening night across multiple platforms.

Q: How does the NBA Cup 2026 work?
A: All 30 teams are divided into six groups of five. Each team plays four group-stage games. The five group winners and three wild-card teams advance to a single-elimination knockout stage. All games except the championship count toward regular-season standings.

Q: Where is the NBA Cup 2026 championship game?
A: The 2026 NBA Cup championship game is at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on December 11, 2026.

Q: How to watch NBA Cup 2026?
A: Group-stage games air on Prime Video, NBC, ESPN, and NBA League Pass. Prime Video carries the most group-stage national TV games. NBC and ESPN carry selected games on November 24 and 25 respectively.