NBA Launches Historic In-Season Tournament to Begin in 2025-2026 Season February 28, 2025

In a move that will change the landscape of the NBA, the league has announced the creation of an in-season tournament, set to begin with the 2025-2026 season. This bold new initiative aims to add more excitement and competition to the regular season by introducing a mid-season event that mirrors the intensity of playoff basketball, providing teams with an additional opportunity to claim a title before the playoffs even begin.
The tournament will involve all 30 NBA teams, with the competition beginning in early November and concluding in late December. Teams will be divided into groups based on their conference and record from the previous season. The group stage will consist of round-robin play, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds. The final tournament will be a single-elimination format, culminating in a championship game to crown the tournament winner.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed excitement about the new tournament, highlighting its potential to increase fan engagement and create new storylines throughout the season. “We believe that an in-season tournament will not only provide more opportunities for our teams to compete at a high level, but it will also give fans something exciting to look forward to in the middle of the season,” Silver said. “This is an innovative way to bring additional drama and intensity to the NBA, while also rewarding teams for their performance.”
While the new tournament will offer significant cash prizes for players and coaching staffs, the biggest reward will be the potential for the tournament winner to earn a place in the upcoming NBA Playoffs. This unique twist ensures that the event holds weight within the broader context of the season, giving teams a real incentive to push for victory.
Additionally, the league plans to integrate exclusive broadcast features and expanded digital content during the tournament, making the event accessible to fans around the world. New digital formats will allow fans to watch live games from multiple angles and access real-time stats and analysis.
With an exciting new dynamic set to be introduced in just under a year, the in-season tournament promises to create fresh excitement and greater drama during the NBA calendar. As the league prepares for its debut, all eyes will be on how the event reshapes the landscape of professional basketball.