Ignite Cup to see Kings host more games in NBL26

Ahead of the season schedule being announced in the coming days, the Sydney Kings are excited to share some news about NBL26 with you.

The regular season, tipping off in mid-September, will feature an additional four fixtures for each team.  

This means the Hoops Capital will play 33 games during the NBL26 campaign, which could rise to 34 if Brian Goorjian’s side reaches the grand final of the in-season tournament. 

These aforementioned four new games (two home and two away) will be part of the NBL's new in-season tournament called the Ignite Cup, where matches will be played on Wednesday night before a decider at the end of February.

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The points from these Wednesday night fixtures will count towards both the regular season and Ignite Cup standings. 

Teams will also receive points towards their Ignite Cup standings with one point for every quarter won and an additional three points for winning the game (therefore, a total of seven points are on offer in each of the Ignite Cup games played). 

The two teams with the highest Ignite Cup points tally will play the Final at the end of February. 

This Final will not count towards regular season points.

"Our club is excited about the Ignite Cup and the prospect of playing more games," said Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian.

"We're all competitors, so the fact that we get an extra four games this season, as well as the chance to win another trophy for our Kings fans, is great and something we're all looking forward to.”

IGNITING WEDNESDAY NIGHTS ⚡

The @NBL has unveiled its in-season tournament, the Ignite Cup, which will add 21 extra games (including a grand final) to the hoops schedule.

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— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) June 17, 2025

Hoops Capital’s intention for these new Wednesday night games is to help promote basketball in NSW, which could see the Kings take these games on the road and play them at regional venues.

As such, the harbour city-based club is currently assessing the viability of regional venues. 

Fans will notice that when the NBL26 schedule is released (likely within the next fortnight), the two Kings’ home Ignite Cup games will have the venue listed as ‘to be confirmed’.

Further to that, these two additional home games won’t be included in the Kings’ full-season, premium or flexi memberships.

All members will, of course, be given access to purchase tickets to these games before the general public.