Ignite Cup, NBL27: Schedule, tickets, rules & more

The Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup, presented by 7-Eleven, returns for NBL27 with an even bigger prize pool on the line.

Here's all you need to know about the NBL's in-season tournament.

What is the Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup?

The in-season tournament is played across 20 Wednesday night games, with every result counting towards the regular season ladder. A unique quarter-by-quarter scoring system decides a separate Ignite Cup ladder.

For NBL27, the tournament evolves into a four-team Ignite Cup Finals Series at AIS Arena in Canberra. The teams will battle it out for a share of $550,000 in prize money, the largest in League history and up from last season's $400,000.

The tournament tips off with a blockbuster double header on Wednesday, September 30, as part of Round 3. The New Zealand Breakers host the Cairns Taipans at Spark Arena in Auckland (5:30pm AEST), before Sydney takes on Brisbane in Sydney (7:30pm AEST).

The Breakers enter as defending champions after winning the inaugural Ignite Cup Final.

How to get tickets

Tickets for all Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup games are available now via Ticketek.

>> BUY TICKETS

How to watch

Every game of the Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup is available live on ESPN.

>> HOW TO WATCH

The schedule

Round 3: New Zealand v Cairns - Wednesday, September 30, 5:30pm AEST - Spark Arena
Round 3: Sydney v Brisbane - Wednesday, September 30, 7:30pm AEST - Qudos Bank Arena
Round 4: Adelaide v Melbourne - Wednesday, October 7, 7:30pm AEDT - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Round 5: Sydney v New Zealand - Wednesday, October 14, 7:30pm AEDT - AIS Arena
Round 6: Tasmania v Brisbane - Wednesday, October 21, 7:30pm AEDT - MyState Bank Arena
Round 7: Perth v Sydney - Wednesday, October 28, 9:30pm AEDT - RAC Arena
Round 8: Brisbane v Perth - Wednesday, November 4, 7:30pm AEDT - Nissan Arena
Round 9: South East Melbourne v Illawarra - Wednesday, November 11, 7:30pm AEDT - State Basketball Centre
Round 10: New Zealand v South East Melbourne - Wednesday, November 18, 5:30pm AEDT - Spark Arena
Round 11: Adelaide v South East Melbourne - Wednesday, December 2, 7:30pm AEDT - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Round 12: Cairns v Adelaide - Wednesday, December 9, 7:30pm AEDT - Venue TBC
Round 13: Perth v Melbourne - Wednesday, December 16, 9:30pm AEDT - RAC Arena
Round 14: Melbourne v Cairns - Wednesday, December 23, 8:00pm AEDT - John Cain Arena
Round 15: Brisbane v Adelaide - Wednesday, December 30, 7:30pm AEDT - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Round 16: South East Melbourne v Tasmania - Wednesday, January 6, 5:30pm AEDT - State Basketball Centre
Round 16: Illawarra v Perth - Wednesday, January 6, 7:30pm AEDT - WIN Entertainment Centre
Round 18: Melbourne v Tasmania - Wednesday, January 20, 5:30pm AEDT - Red Energy Arena
Round 18: Illawarra v New Zealand - Wednesday, January 20, 7:30pm AEDT - WIN Entertainment Centre
Round 19: Tasmania v Illawarra - Wednesday, January 27, 5:30pm AEDT - MyState Bank Arena
Round 19: Cairns v Sydney - Wednesday, January 27, 7:30pm AEDT - Venue TBC

Ignite Cup Finals
‍Ignite Cup Finals: Semi-Finals - Friday, February 19 - AIS Arena, Canberra
Ignite Cup Finals: Final - Sunday, February 21 - AIS Arena, Canberra

How the Ignite Cup works

Teams receive points towards the Ignite Cup ladder from each game. 3 points is rewarded for the overall victory, and teams also earn 1 point for each quarter they win. When both clubs score an equal number of points in a quarter, each is awarded half a point (0.5).

That makes every quarter a mini-battle, keeping the intensity high from tip-off to the final buzzer as teams chase crucial points on the Ignite Cup ladder.

The new Finals format

For NBL27, the Ignite Cup evolves into a four-team Finals Series in the nation's capital. AIS Arena in Canberra will host two massive nights of basketball, with the Semi-Finals on Friday, February 19 and the decider on Sunday, February 21.

The Finals weekend will also feature the Andrew Gaze MVP Awards, presented from the Great Hall at Parliament House. It is the first time the Awards have been held outside Melbourne in more than a decade.

Prize money

The NBL27 Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup carries a total prize pool of $550,000, the largest in League history and up from $400,000 last season. The money is split between teams and players, providing even more motivation to win.

FAQs

When does the Ignite Cup start and end?
The Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup begins in Round 3 on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, and runs through to Round 19, concluding on Wednesday, January 27, 2027. The Ignite Cup Finals will be held at AIS Arena in Canberra, with the Semi-Finals on Friday, February 19 and the Final on Sunday, February 21, 2027.

How is the Ignite Cup structured?
Each of the 10 NBL teams plays two home games and two away games during the tournament. Games are scheduled on Wednesday nights, with results contributing to both the Ignite Cup standings and the regular season ladder. The top four teams advance to the Ignite Cup Finals Series. Ignite Cup Finals games do not count towards the regular season ladder.

What is the scoring system?
The points system operates as follows:
- Three (3) points are awarded to the club that wins the game.
- One (1) point is awarded to the club that scores the most points in each quarter.
- Half (0.5) a point is awarded to both clubs if they score the same number of points in a quarter.
- Zero (0) points are awarded to a club that scores the fewest points in a quarter or loses the game.

The maximum number of points available to a club that wins the game is seven (7): four (4) points for winning each quarter and three (3) points for winning the game.

The maximum number of points available to a club that loses the game is three (3), for winning three (3) quarters.

If a game goes to overtime, no further points are awarded other than the three (3) points for winning the game.

What is the prize pool?
The total prize pool for the NBL27 Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup is $550,000, the largest in League history.

How do Ignite Cup games differ from regular season games?
Ignite Cup games bring an enhanced game day experience, both in-stadium and at home. Fans can expect an official 7-Eleven Ignite Cup game ball, a standout court look, and special in-game, broadcast and digital moments. Exclusive 7-Eleven offers and promotions will also be available in the NBL App.

Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets for all Ignite Cup games are available via Ticketek.

How can I watch?
Every game of the Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup is available live on ESPN. Find out how to watch.

How can I stay updated?
For the latest news and ticketing information, sign up for the NBL newsletter on the NBL website. You can also follow the NBL on social media and download the free NBL App for real-time updates.

The Hungry Jack's NBL27 season is underway, with the Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup, presented by 7-Eleven, beginning on Wednesday, September 30.