NBA unveils custom court designs for 2026 Emirates NBA Cup

The NBA has unveiled custom court designs for all 30 franchises participating in the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup. The tournament features a branding partnership with Nike, utilizing aesthetic themes from the brand’s 2026 Standard Issue Collection. Each playing surface includes oversized team wordmarks, primary icon placements at center court, and color schemes designed to contrast with the clubs’ Statement Edition uniforms.

Specific team designs vary; for example, the Los Angeles Lakers' court features a black outline with white lettering and 17 white stars on the sideline representing their NBA titles. Other teams have utilized sidelines for mottos, such as the Milwaukee Bucks’ “Fear the Deer,” or specific icons like the Toronto Raptors’ maple leaf.

Group play is scheduled to begin on October 30, 2026, with an opening doubleheader broadcast on Amazon Prime Video featuring the New York Knicks against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors. The tournament structure involves thirty teams drawn into groups of five within their conferences. Following the group stage, eight teams will advance to knockout rounds, with the competition concluding on November 27.