Ignite Cup expands NBL season

Ahead of the 2025-26 fixture release, the NBL has unveiled the Ignite Cup: a new in-season tournament adding four additional games to each club’s schedules.

Taking place on Wednesday nights, the new prime-time slot will see an extra 20 games added across the season – expanding the regular season up to 165 games in total – with teams competing for a $400,000 prize pool.

With games forming part of both the regular season and the Ignite Cup, each quarter matters with scoring for the tournament determined by both quarters and games won.

NBL CEO David Stevenson:

"We’re building something that adds more competitive fire throughout the season, creates more blockbuster games, and brings fresh energy for our fans every single Wednesday night.
"It's high-stakes hoops – and we think fans are going to love it. With 55 sell out games last season, these new games bring new opportunities for NBL fans to see their teams more often.”

Earning a point for outscoring an opponent in a quarter – and the point split in the event of a tie – an additional three points are awarded for a win, making each game worth seven points with no bonus if the game goes to overtime.

Launching in early October, games will take place throughout the season up until late January, before the Final is hosted in February.

Sitting outside the regular season with no competition points up for grabs, the Ignite Final will see both teams compete for the largest prize in NBL history - $300k for the winner, and the $100k for the runner up, with the players earning 60% of the rewards.

Adding two additional games to be hosted in Cairns, the details of how the tournament will be integrated into existing memberships will be communicated directly to members shortly.