The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup is set, with all 30 teams drawn into six groups of five. The NBA’s in-season tournament tips off Friday, October 30, runs Group Play through late November, and crowns a champion on Friday, December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This page has the full groups, the knockout bracket format, the key dates, and a free printable groups-and-bracket PDF you can fill in as the results roll in. Exact game matchups and tip times drop into place once the full NBA schedule is released.
Download the Free Printable PDF
2026 Emirates NBA Cup: Quick Facts
Last updated: July 14, 2026
- Group Play begins: Friday, October 30, 2026
- Group Play dates: Oct 30; Nov 6, 13, 20, 24, 25, 27
- Knockout Rounds: Quarterfinals Dec 4-5, Semifinals Dec 8-9
- Championship: Friday, December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis (Prime Video)
- Teams: all 30, in six groups of five (three per conference)
- Defending champion: New York Knicks (2025)
2026 Emirates NBA Cup Groups
All 30 teams were randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference, based on 2025-26 regular-season records.
How the Emirates NBA Cup Works
Every team plays four Group Play games, one against each of the other teams in its group, on designated Tuesday and Friday “Cup Nights.” The six group winners advance to the Knockout Rounds, joined by one wildcard from each conference (the best second-place team). That makes eight teams: four from the East and four from the West. The Quarterfinals and Semifinals are hosted in NBA team markets, and the two conference winners meet in the Championship at a neutral site. Every Cup game except the Championship also counts toward the regular-season standings.
Emirates NBA Cup Key Dates
- Group Play: Oct 30; Nov 6, 13, 20, 24, 25 and 27
- Quarterfinals: Dec 4-5 (team markets)
- Semifinals: Dec 8 and/or Dec 9 (team markets)
- Championship: Dec 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Emirates NBA Cup Champions
- 2025: New York Knicks def. San Antonio Spurs, 124-113 (MVP: Jalen Brunson)
- 2024: Milwaukee Bucks def. Oklahoma City Thunder, 97-81 (MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo)
- 2023: Los Angeles Lakers def. Indiana Pacers, 123-109 (MVP: LeBron James)
2026 Emirates NBA Cup: FAQ
When does the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup start?
Group Play tips off Friday, October 30, 2026, and runs on Cup Nights through November 27. The Championship is Friday, December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
What are the 2026 NBA Cup groups?
West: Group A (Nuggets, Rockets, Suns, Mavericks, Jazz), Group B (Thunder, Timberwolves, Clippers, Pelicans, Grizzlies), Group C (Spurs, Lakers, Trail Blazers, Warriors, Kings). East: Group A (Pistons, Raptors, Magic, Bucks, Nets), Group B (Knicks, Cavaliers, 76ers, Heat, Pacers), Group C (Celtics, Hawks, Hornets, Bulls, Wizards).
How do teams advance in the NBA Cup?
The six group winners advance, plus one wildcard from each conference (the best second-place team), for an eight-team knockout bracket. Quarterfinals and Semifinals are in team markets; the Championship is at a neutral site.
Who won the 2025 NBA Cup?
The New York Knicks won the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup, beating the San Antonio Spurs 124-113, with Jalen Brunson named MVP.
Is the printable free?
Yes. The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup groups and bracket PDF is free to download and print, with blank standings and bracket lines to fill in.
More 2026-27 NBA Printables
- 2026-27 NBA Schedule: Printable PDFs and TV Lineups
- 2027 NBA Playoff Bracket & Schedule (Printable)
- 2026 NBA Playoffs TV Schedule
