NBL Ignite Cup
Current season, competition or edition: 2025–26 NBL Ignite Cup | |
 | |
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 18 June 2025 |
| Organising body | National Basketball League |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Countries | Australia (9 teams) New Zealand (1 team) |
| Continent | FIBA Oceania (Oceania) |
| Broadcasters | ESPN/Foxtel, Sky Sport |
| Streaming partners | Disney+, Kayo Sports, Sky Sport Now, NBL TV |
| Sponsor | Hungry Jack's |
| Official website | Ignitecup.com.au |
The National Basketball League Ignite Cup, often shortened to the NBL Ignite Cup is an annual cup competition for the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).
History
[edit]On 18 June 2025, the Australian National Basketball League established the first NBL Ignite Cup, with all ten NBL teams taking part in the tournament from 8 October to 22 February.
It will begin each season in Round 4 starting with the 2025–26 NBL season, with games played every Wednesday evening. Teams will receive one point for every quarter they win or half a point each if tied, and three points for winning the game.[1] Each team will play two home games and two road games. The two highest-ranked teams based on both points will advance to the Grand Final. The winner of the Grand Final will receive prize money. The 20 games will count toward a team's record, while the Grand Final would not count as a regular season game.[2] It is similar to the 2021 NBL Cup.[3] Teams will be awarded one point for each quarter they win and three points for each game they win.[4] The winning team will receive $300,000 AUD, while the runner-up receives $100,000 AUD.[5] 60 percent will go directly to the players, with the remaining 40 percent going to the clubs.[1]
Format
[edit]The tournament has a similar format to in-season, multi-stage tournaments such as NBL Cup and those held in association football. The tournament rules are as follows:
- 20 extra games.
- Wednesday night prime-time.
- New points system: Every quarter counts.
- Top two face off for the Ignite Cup Final.
- The championship game is played at a neutral site; held at Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland.
- Record prize money – $400,000 up for grabs.
- Players receive 60% of winnings.
- Every game impacts the regular season.
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Mid-week shake-up as NBL reveals 'daring and bold' new tournament, with record payday". Fox Sports. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Sources: NBL to introduce in-season tournament". ESPN.com.au. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ "NBL "exploring" mid-season tournament". nbl.com.au. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "NBL to launch In-Season Tournament for 2025-26 season | Basketball.com.au". basketball.com.au. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "The NBL's Ignite Cup: Everything You Need To Know". nbl.com.au. Retrieved 18 June 2025.