The National Basketball Association (NBA) has officially approved the schedule for key events for the 2026/2027 season. The league's plans include bringing the year's main show back to Phoenix after a long hiatus, a radical reform of the NBA Cup format, and a massive international tour covering Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
Phoenix Hosts All-Star Weekend for the First Time in 18 Years
The highlight of the calendar will be the All-Star Weekend, which will take place from February 19 to 21, 2027, in Phoenix, Arizona. The city will host the event for the first time since 2009, making this the fourth visit in the city's history. The program of the three-day festival is traditionally packed: spectators can look forward to the Rising Stars Challenge, Skills, Three-Point, and Slam Dunk Contests, as well as the climax — the All-Star Game.
Revolution in the NBA Cup: Final in Indianapolis
The 2026 season will bring significant changes to the structure of the NBA Cup. The group stage will start on October 30 and end on November 27. The playoffs will begin with the quarterfinals on December 4–5, the semifinals will take place on December 8–9, and the championship match for the trophy is scheduled for December 11.
A key innovation concerns the location: the semifinals will no longer be held at a neutral venue in Las Vegas, as was the case in the previous three seasons. Furthermore, for the first time in history, the tournament final will be moved to Indianapolis (Indiana).
The decisive game will be held at the legendary Hinkle Fieldhouse — the stadium of Butler University, built back in 1928. The capacity of this historic venue is only 9,100 spectators, which is significantly smaller than standard NBA arenas, but organizers promise to create a unique, intimate atmosphere for the decisive battle.
Global Expansion: From Macau to Manchester
The league plans an active international program, expanding the geography of game venues. Exhibition matches will take place in Macau on October 9 and 11, 2026.
As part of the regular season, one game will be held in Mexico City. On November 7, 2026, the "Denver Nuggets" and "Indiana Pacers" will play at the arena in Mexico. This match will be the 35th in the history of NBA games held in Mexico.
Official games are also scheduled in Europe. The "San Antonio Spurs" and "New Orleans Pelicans" will hold matches in Paris (January 14, 2027) and Manchester (January 17, 2027), continuing the tradition of popularizing basketball on the Old Continent.
