The NBA Cup championship game is set to relocate to Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University for the 2026 season, marking a significant shift from its previous home in Las Vegas. The championship game is scheduled for December 11. This move fulfills a long-held desire by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to host the tournament's final in a storied college basketball venue.
Hinkle Fieldhouse, which opened in 1928, is one of the oldest arenas in the United States. The venue boasts a capacity of just over 9,000 and has a rich history that includes hosting numerous notable events, from presidential appearances to early U.S. vs. Soviet Union basketball games. During World War II, it also served as a barracks for American soldiers.
The NBA had maintained a year-to-year contract with Las Vegas's T-Mobile Arena for the championship game. The league's head of global events, Kelly Flatow, stated that Hinkle Fieldhouse "offers a special setting to capture the excitement and drama of the Emirates NBA Cup Championship." She added that playing in such an "iconic basketball environment" will further elevate the game as a signature event on the NBA calendar.
Former Butler coach and current Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens described Hinkle Fieldhouse as "as loud as loud gets." The arena's historical significance and unique atmosphere are expected to add a new dimension to the NBA Cup final.
The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup tournament in 2023, followed by the Bucks in 2024 and the Knicks in 2025. The 2025 final featured a matchup between the Knicks and the Spurs, a preview of the 2026 NBA Finals.