Emirates NBA Cup Returns: Competition Kicks Off on Halloween

NEW YORK, NY — The third version of the Emirates NBA Cup is set to start on Halloween night, October 31, shortly after the initiation of the 2025-26 NBA regular season. This tournament follows the first-ever NBA Cup champion, awarded in 2023, with star player LeBron James earning the tournament’s MVP title. Last season, the Milwaukee Bucks hoisted their NBA Cup banner after becoming champions.

The format includes 30 NBA teams divided into six groups of five — three from the Eastern Conference and three from the Western Conference. Each team will play one game against the other four in its group, and the team with the best record among the non-group winners, alongside each group winner, will advance to the knockout stage.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver supported the idea of an in-season tournament influenced by European soccer leagues, which host multiple tournament competitions alongside their regular seasons. Unlike those leagues, however, the NBA Cup fits directly into the existing 82-game regular-season schedule.

This year, the group stage concludes on December 8, 2025, with the quarterfinals scheduled for December 9 and 10. The semifinals will be held on December 13 and the championship game on December 16, marking a more structured schedule than in previous years. This year, all NBA Cup games, except the championship, will count toward each team’s regular-season record.

The NBA has designed the Cup to ensure teams remain motivated to compete, integrating the tournament games into the overall standings and playoff implications. Prize money for players will increase each year to keep pace with the salary cap and additional earnings linked to the NBA’s growth.

The unveiling of group stages highlights several matchups to watch, expanding excitement as teams contend for a spot in the knockout rounds. Group A features the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards. They will square off starting October 31, with the opening games in a highly anticipated showdown between the Hawks and Pacers.

The stakes are high, as each match has the potential to impact playoff positioning later in the season, ensuring every game counts for something significant.