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) |
| Most recent champion | New Zealand Breakers (1st title) |
| Most titles | New Zealand Breakers (1 title) |
| 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
On 18 June 2025, the Australian National Basketball League established the first NBL Ignite Cup,[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] It is similar to the 2021 NBL Cup.[4] Teams will be awarded one point for each quarter they win and three points for each game they win.[5] The winning team will receive $300,000 AUD, while the runner-up receives $100,000 AUD.[1] 60 percent will go directly to the players, with the remaining 40 percent going to the clubs.[2]
Format
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 and Exhibition 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
References
- ^ a b "The NBL's Ignite Cup: Everything You Need To Know". NBL.com.au. 18 June 2025. Archived from the original on 18 June 2025.
- ^ 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.