• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 15, 2025
One Day till Tuned In! Get a Last Second Ticket!

NBA Cup’s Scheduling Dilemma: Fans Are Struggling to Commit to Final

The teams that qualify for the tournament semifinals in Las Vegas are determined only a few days beforehand, making it difficult for fans to schedule their trip.

Dec 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) controls the ball against Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) during the fourth quarter in a semifinal of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena.
Candice Ward-Imagn Images

LAS VEGAS — Alex Reed walked off a plane at the Harry Reid International Airport sporting a Trae Young jersey. It was about 1 p.m. PT on Saturday and Reed, a diehard Atlanta sports fan, was headed straight to T-Mobile Arena to watch the Hawks face the Bucks in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals.

But he didn’t plan a trip to Sin City to see the Hawks. Instead, he told Front Office Sports he was there to watch the Falcons face the Raiders in Allegiant Stadium for Monday Night Football. The Hawks happened to qualify for the NBA Cup semifinals Wednesday night, less than 72 hours before his flight, and because “tickets were cheap,” he and his partner decided to add it to their itinerary.

When asked whether he would’ve come for the Hawks only, Reed chuckled and simply said, “No.” However, there was a caveat: He would have gone if he knew the Hawks had qualified at least a few weeks in advance.

“Yes, [or at least] I would’ve probably had a better decision,” Reed said.

While the Hawks did not make Tuesday’s championship game, Reed said he wouldn’t have attended anyway because he would’ve flown out by then. And he’s far from the only one with this experience. Over the weekend, Vegas was filled with groups of Atlanta sports fans who mixed a Hawks jersey with their majority of Falcons merchandise. 

Another pair of fans, who chose to remain anonymous, told FOS they flew to Vegas from Hawai‘i to support the Falcons. One of them was a supporter of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo but still chose not to attend the game live. They also said an earlier notice may have prompted them to make the trip—even if it were just for the NBA Cup.

What’s the Fix?

Their stories highlight the scheduling conundrum the NBA is facing as it attempts to grow the NBA Cup. The league envisions a tentpole event fans are willing to travel to, similar to what it has built with the Las Vegas Summer League. But the format of the NBA Cup makes it difficult for fans to know which teams they’re coming to support.

Last year, none of the three games in Vegas sold out—even though the Lakers won the tournament. Diehard fans could easily make the impromptu four-hour drive from Los Angeles, which isn’t as easy for Bucks and Thunder fans this year. 

The average ticket price for this year’s NBA Cup final is $202, down about 42.5% from last year, according to TickPick.

The NBA has not ruled out any changes to the tournament in future years, but solidifying the final four NBA Cup teams weeks before the games is tricky given the NBA’s timeline. The league wants the tournament to come before Christmas, which gives them only about two months from the start of the season. The NBA Cup started three weeks into the season to give some teams time to ramp up.

There are only two tournament nights for group play per week—Tuesdays and Fridays—which coincides with broadcasting dates for ESPN and TNT. That could change with Amazon Prime Video in the fold starting next season, and it could help condense the schedule. 

“This is going to be a living, breathing thing that we’re very open to tweaking and evolving. We’ve got a big new stakeholder in the mix with Amazon that will probably help us shake things up as we look forward,” Evan Wasch, NBA executive vice president for basketball strategy and analytics, told FOS.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.

Trump Push to End Quarterly Earnings Has Major Sports Ramifications

U.S. President Trump proposes moving to semi-annual reporting for public companies.

Warriors $75M Pitch Fails to Sway Kuminga As Season Looms

Kuminga and his representatives want a long-term deal.
Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 14, 2025

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.
September 12, 2025

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
September 12, 2025

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarreal is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.