NBA In-Season Tournament: Everything You Need to Know
The NBA's 2025 Emirates NBA Cup In-Season Tournament aims to boost fan engagement and increase competition during the part of the regular season before the All-Star Break. This tournament was first introduced in 2023 with the goal of creating a new tradition amid a crowded sports calendar, especially as NFL and NHL seasons peak.
Commissioner Adam Silver said at the tournament's unveiling on July 8, 2023, “New traditions take time. But, all throughout sports, we are seeing new innovations, and now is the time for this NBA In-Season Tournament.”
Tournament Format
The tournament consists of two main phases before the final championship game:
- Group Play Round: A monthlong stage where each team competes against four group opponents, playing two home games and two away games.
- Knockout Round: A single-elimination phase featuring Quarterfinals and Semifinals.
Schedule
- The tournament begins on Friday, October 31, 2025.
- “Cup Nights” are mostly on Fridays in October and November, with Group Play concluding on Friday, November 28.
- The Knockout Round starts with Quarterfinals on Tuesday, December 9, and Wednesday, December 10.
- Semifinals occur on Saturday, December 13.
- The Championship game takes place on Tuesday, December 16.
Game Integration
All Group Play games align with the regular season schedule, with teams facing each group opponent once.
The Emirates NBA Cup represents a fresh format designed to energize the NBA season and maintain fan interest during a traditionally busy sports period.