NBA Cup (United States) 2025/26

The Emirates NBA Cup is a mid-season tournament within the National Basketball Association. The competition was established in 2023 following a unanimous vote by the league's Board of Governors. It sits as a distinct event within the top-tier professional basketball structure in the United States, rather than functioning as a separate cup or super cup. The format employs a soccer-style group and knockout system embedded within the standard 82-game regular season. Thirty teams are divided into six groups of five, with three clubs per conference. Each participant plays four group-stage matches in November. The winner of each group and the two best second-place teams progress to the knockout stage. Quarterfinals and semifinals take place in early December. The championship game is held at a neutral site, currently the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While group and knockout games count toward regular-season standings, the final does not affect regular-season records. The tournament is unique in the NBA for offering direct player compensation. Cash prizes range from $50,000 for quarterfinal losers to over $500,000 for champions. The event was rebranded from the NBA In-Season Tournament to the Emirates NBA Cup in February 2024 due to a sponsorship deal with Emirates Airline. The inaugural tournament was won by the Los Angeles Lakers, who defeated the Philadelphia 76ers. The 2024–25 edition was claimed by the Milwaukee Bucks, who beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 97–81. Giannis Antetokounmpo was named MVP for the recent final.