The NBA has revealed the specialty court designs for all 30 teams ahead of the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup. The tournament runs from October 30 to December 11, featuring distinct visual identities for each franchise.
The NBA officially unveiled the custom court designs for all 30 teams on Tuesday, setting the visual stage for the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup. The league’s in-season tournament is scheduled to tip off on October 30 and conclude with the championship game on December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. These specialty floors will replace standard home courts for all Cup-affiliated games, creating a distinct atmosphere for the competition.
According to NBA.com, the 2026 court aesthetics draw inspiration from Nike Basketball’s 2026 Standard Issue Collection, extending the design language from the jerseys to the playing surface. The league stated that the color schemes are specifically crafted to contrast with the Statement Edition uniforms that players will wear during the tournament. This visual strategy reinforces the unique identity of the Cup, separating it from the regular season schedule.
Several consistent elements appear across all 30 designs. The Emirates NBA Cup trophy is painted at center court and within the paint area for every team. A new addition for the 2026 edition is the tournament tagline, “30 Teams. 8 Advance. 1 Champion.,” which is positioned near the corner three-point line. Additionally, oversized team wordmarks appear on both sides of the court, while primary logos are featured at center court.
Individual teams have introduced unique branding elements to their respective floors. For example, the Detroit Pistons’ design features a predominantly blue surface with gold accents and the phrase “IN IT FOR MY CITY” along the sideline, reflecting the franchise’s local identity. The Los Angeles Lakers have also unveiled a specific design for games at Crypto.com Arena, while the Philadelphia 76ers and other franchises have released their own distinct color palettes.
The tournament format remains consistent with previous editions, with all 30 teams divided into conference groups of five based on their 2025-26 regular season win-loss records. Group Play runs from October 30 through November 27, with eight teams advancing to the knockout rounds. The first games of the tournament will feature the New York Knicks visiting the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors, both available on Prime Video.