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The Emirates NBA Cup — formerly known as the In-Season Tournament — felt like a gimmicky play by Adam Silver and the suits when it first got introduced. It has been anything but, and it has succeeded more than anyone in the Association likely could have anticipated.
Of course, it helps when the stars of the league get onboard. The first two NBA Cup champions — the Lakers and Bucks — were led by generational talents LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo (both of whom added NBA Cup Tournament MVPs to their trophy cases).
Even the runners-up have turned heads through the first two iterations of the Cup. Tyrese Haliburton and the run-and-gun Pacers nearly went all the way in the inaugural in-season tourney. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, who went on to win MVP and the NBA Finals, made it to the Vegas NBA Cup title game vs. Milwaukee.
BUY NOW:Tickets to 2025 NBA Cup games in Las Vegas
It's not just about making the regular-season months more exciting. The players actually know how the tournament works now, and most of them are legitimately invested in competing to win the thing. Sick money prizes are on the line ($500K per player), and the fans care about it, too — not just because of the cool alternate court designs and the neutral-site games in Sin City.
It will never be on the same stratosphere of the NBA Finals — everyone knows that. However, it's a lot more exciting than what we usually get in the first few months of the season, and it's a reason for NBA fanbases to get up and root for something like they never have at this time of the year. And what a great excuse to go to Vegas!
Las Vegas's T-Mobile Arena is the place to be this December, as the top teams go head-to-head in the NBA Cup Finals. The Sporting News is your guide to the in-season tournament title game, including how to get the best deals on tickets, arena policies and more.
NBA Cup Finals tickets 2025: How to buy
There are a variety of ways to get NBA Cup tickets, but for every game, you can find tickets on StubHub.
The site offers passes for every team's group stage games as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals in Las Vegas.
Each listing has seating options in every section so fans can find the best views and best prices for their preference. So, for those who want to head to Sin City for the NBA Cup Finals — regardless of participating teams — you can find in-season tournament Las Vegas tickets now on StubHub.
How much are NBA Cup Finals tickets?
Tickets to the NBA Cup Championship are currently going for as little as $515. Under one percent of all tickets to the NBA Cup remain, however you can still find a variety of price ranges for the game.
Want to sit closer to the court? Lower-bowl tickets have a starting range of $1,100 to $1,400.
Tickets likely won't get any cheaper as the championship game draws closer, so fans should get their passes sooner rather than later to secure the best prices.
BUY NOW:Cheapest seats for 2025 NBA Cup Finals in Las Vegas
NBA Cup groups
The in-season tournament groups are divided into six pools of five divided by conference. Each team will play four total games that count towards the NBA Cup, with each game coming against a franchise within their group.
Only eight teams, consisting of the group winners and two wild card teams, will advance to the knockout rounds in Las Vegas.
East A
Cleveland Cavaliers
Indiana Pacers
Atlanta Hawks
Toronto Raptors
Washington Wizards
East B
Boston Celtics
Orlando Magic
Detroit Pistons
Philadelphia 76ers
Brooklyn Nets
East C
New York Knicks
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Chicago Bulls
Charlotte Hornets
West A
Oklahoma City Thunder
Minnesota Timberwolves
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings
Utah Jazz
West B
Los Angeles Lakers
Dallas Mavericks
Los Angeles Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Pelicans
West C
Denver Nuggets
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
San Antonio Spurs
Portland Trailblazers
NBA Cup schedule 2025
Here's the full schedule for the entire NBA Cup, including the group stage, the quarterfinals, the semifinals and the NBA Cup championship. You can purchase tickets to any NBA Cup game here.
Friday, Oct. 31
Game Time (ET)
Hawks at Pacers 7 p.m.
Celtics at 76ers 7 p.m.
Raptors at Cavs 7:30 p.m.
Knicks at Bulls 8 p.m.
Lakers at Grizzlies 10 p.m.
Jazz at Suns 10 p.m.
Nuggets at Blazers 10 p.m.
Pelicans at Clippers 10:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7
Game Time (ET)
Celtics at Magic 7 p.m.
Cavs at Wizards 7 p.m.
Raptors at Hawks 7:30 p.m.
Pistons at Nets 7:30 p.m.
Rockets at Spurs 7:30 p.m.
Hornets at Heat 8 p.m.
Mavs at Grizzlies 8 p.m.
Bulls at Bucks 8 p.m.
Jazz at Wolves 8 p.m.
Warriors at Nuggets 10 p.m.
Thunder at Kings 10 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14
Game Time (ET)
Heat at Knicks 7 p.m.
Nets at Magic 7 p.m.
76ers at Pistons 7:30 p.m.
Blazers at Rockets 8 p.m.
Hornets at Bucks 8 p.m.
Kings at Wolves 8 p.m.
Lakers at Pelicans 8 p.m.
Clippers at Mavs 8:30 p.m.
Warriors at Spurs 9:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 21
Game Time (ET)
Pacers at Cavs 7 p.m.
Nets at Celtics 7:30 p.m.
Wizards at Raptors 7:30 p.m.
Heat at Bulls 8 p.m.
Pelicans at Mavs 8:30 p.m.
Wolves at Suns 9 p.m.
Nuggets at Rockets 9:30 p.m.
Thunder at Jazz 10 p.m.
Blazers at Warriors 10 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 25
Game Time (ET)
Hawks at Wizards 7 p.m.
Magic at 76ers 8 p.m.
Clippers at Lakers 11 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Game Time (ET)
Pistons at Celtics 5 p.m.
Knicks at Hornets 7 p.m.
Bucks at Heat 7:30 p.m.
Pacers at Raptors 7:30 p.m.
Wolves at Thunder 7:30 p.m.
Grizzlies at Pelicans 8 p.m.
Rockets at Warriors 10 p.m.
Spurs at Blazers 10 p.m.
Suns at Kings 10 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28
Game Time (ET)
Cavaliers at Hawks 7:30 p.m.
76ers at Nets 7:30 p.m.
Bulls at Hornets 7:30 p.m.
Magic at Pistons 7:30 p.m.
Wizards at Pacers 7:30 p.m.
Bucks at Knicks 7:30 p.m.
Suns at Thunder 9:30 p.m.
Spurs at Nuggets 9:30 p.m.
Kings at Jazz 9:30 p.m.
Mavs at Lakers 10 p.m.
Grizzlies at Clippers 10 p.m.
Playoffs — Quarterfinals
Date Game Time (ET)
Tue, Dec. 9 TBD vs. TBD TBD
TBD vs. TBD TBD
Wed, Dec. 10 TBD vs. TBD TBD
TBD vs. TBD TBD
Playoffs — Semifinals (Las Vegas, NV)
Date Game Time (ET)
Sat, Dec. 13 TBD vs. TBD TBD
TBD vs. TBD TBD
Playoffs — Championship
Date Game Time (ET)
Tue, Dec. 16 TBD vs. TBD TBD
T-Mobile Arena seat map and capacity
T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHL's Golden Knights as well as many UFC events, has a capacity of 19,000 fans for basketball games.
T-Mobile Arena
T-Mobile Arena
FAQs
When is the 2025 NBA in-season tournament?
The 2025 NBA Cup begins on Halloween — Friday, October 31. Group play will take place on Fridays from Oct. 31 through Nov. 21, then on Tuesday, Nov. 25, Wednesday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 28. The tournament playoffs will be held from Dec. 9-13. The championship game will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Where are the 2025 NBA Cup Finals?
Each NBA Cup quarterfinal game will be held at the listed home team's home arena, while the semifinals and finals will be played at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
NBA Cup format
The NBA in-season tournament will consist of two phases: group stage and knockout rounds. Every team will play four games, one against each group opponent. For knockout rounds, the team with the best NBA Cup record from each group, as well as two wild card teams, will advance to the single-elimination knockout rounds. The teams from each conference with the best record that finished second in its group will advance as wild cards.
Where is T-Mobile Arena?
T-Mobile Arena is located at 3780 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89109.
T-Mobile Arena
(NBAE via Getty Images)
Parking at T-Mobile Arena
Those headed to T-Mobile Arena for NBA in-season tournament games can buy parking spots for a handful of lots around the venue. Click here to look at options recommended by T-Mobile Arena. Fans can also utilize rideshare and public transportation.
What is the T-Mobile Arena bag policy?
T-Mobile Arena does not allow bags larger than 9" by 5" by 2".
Does T-Mobile Arena use mobile tickets?
Yes, T-Mobile Arena uses mobile tickets that fans can scan for entry. Only one scan is allowed per ticket.
Is T-Mobile Arena a cashless venue?
Yes, T-Mobile Arena is a cashless venue, only accepting payment through debit cards, credit cards and mobile tap payments.
Does T-Mobile Arena have phone charging stations?
Yes, T-Mobile Arena has complimentary phone charging stations in designated locations around the venue.
Airports near Las Vegas, NV
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran Airport, is the biggest airport in the area. It is located just a few miles from downtown Las Vegas and T-Mobile Arena.
Upcoming events at T-Mobile Arena
You can view all of T-Mobile Arena's upcoming events here.
Who won the first two NBA in-season tournaments?
The Lakers beat the Pacers 123-109 to win the NBA's first in-season tournament championship. The Bucks defeated the Thunder 97-81 in last year's NBA Cup.
Lakers comemoram título da Copa NBA
Getty Images