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What is the NBL Ignite Cup?
Mid-week basketball just got a whole lot more exciting! The Ignite Cup is the NBL’s brand-new in-season tournament, brought to you by Hungry Jack’s, designed to add extra intensity, drama, and entertainment to Wednesday nights. It’s a fresh twist on the regular season, giving fans more reasons to cheer, more action to watch, and a chance to see teams go all out for some serious prize money.
When Does the NBL Ignite Cup Start and End?
The tournament begins in Round 4 on October 8th, 2025, and runs through to Round 22, concluding on January 28th, 2026. The action then peaks with a standalone Final in February 2026, where the top two teams battle it out for glory and cash.
How does the NBL Ignite Cup Work?
Every one of the 10 NBL teams will play two home games and two away games as part of the Ignite Cup. All games are scheduled for Wednesday nights, giving fans something special to look forward to mid-week. The results are more than just for bragging rights—they count toward both the Ignite Cup standings and the regular season ladder, so every basket matters.
What is the NBL Ignite Cup Prize Pool?
The prize pool adds another layer of excitement. With a total of $400,000 on the line, the stakes are high: the winning team takes home $300,000, while the runner-up pockets $100,000. Of the total winnings, 60% goes directly to the players, and the remaining 40% stays with the club. That means players have extra incentive to bring their A-game every Wednesday.
The NBL is aiming to make Wednesday nights a full-on basketball experience. Whether you’re cheering in the stadium or watching from home, fans can expect new fan engagement activities, in-game entertainment, and exciting broadcast elements. It’s designed to bring fans closer to the action and make mid-week hoops something you don’t want to miss.
In short, the Ignite Cup is all about adding excitement, showcasing talent, and rewarding teams and players while giving fans more basketball to enjoy. If you thought the regular NBL season was thrilling, Wednesday nights are about to become a highlight of the week for hoops fans everywhere.
What is the NBL Ignite Cup Scoring System?
The Ignite Cup comes with a unique points system that makes every quarter count. Here’s how it works:
- 3 points are awarded to the team that wins the game.
- 1 point is awarded to the team that scores the most points in each quarter.
- 0.5 points go to both teams if a quarter ends in a tie.
- 0 points are given if a team scores the least in a quarter or loses the game.
This means the maximum points a winning team can earn in a single game is 7—that’s 3 points for the game win plus 1 point for each of the four quarters.
Even a losing team can pick up points: the maximum a losing team can earn is 3 points if they manage to win three quarters.
If the game goes into overtime, no extra points are awarded beyond the 3 points for the win, so the focus stays on the quarters and the regulation game.
This system adds a whole new layer of strategy, making each quarter just as important as the final buzzer. Every basket matters, and teams will be fighting hard from the opening tip to the final whistle.
How Does the Ignite Cup Final Work?
Once all the mid-week games are done, the top two teams on the Ignite Cup points ladder will advance to the Final. This showdown is separate from the regular season, giving the teams a unique shot at claiming the Ignite Cup title and the prize money.
The location of the Final is still to be confirmed, so fans will have to stay tuned for the official announcement. One thing’s for sure—this game will be high stakes, high intensity, and a must-watch for hoops fans.
Conclusion
The Ignite Cup is set to bring a fresh spark to the NBL season, adding extra intensity and excitement to Wednesday nights. With prize money, bragging rights, and every quarter counting toward the standings, fans can expect high-energy games and plenty of drama. Whether you’re watching from the stands or tuning in at home, the Ignite Cup is shaping up to be must-see mid-week basketball.