GUIDE: Best Ways to Watch the 2024 Emirates Cup on TV & Stream
Last year, NBA fans were treated to the inaugural in-season tournament, which was a huge hit on many levels, introducing the thrill of postseason-style play to November and December. The good news for everyone involved is that the tournament is back again this year, now rebranded as the Emirates NBA Cup, and it is set to kick off this week.
With all 30 teams participating, fans are given a little something extra to cheer for, and if last year’s competition is anything to go by, it promises to be a fantastic addition to our weekly viewing plan. The stakes are high, and with only 8 teams reaching the knockouts, every single game matters. The LA Lakers were the victors in 2023; can LeBron’s men defend their crown, or will it be another team’s time to win their first-ever in-season trophy?
The action is going to be thrilling, and thanks to NBA League Pass, it’s never been easier to catch it all. In this article, we will give you all the information you need to know about this year’s Emirates NBA Cup, and how to watch it.
What is the Emirates NBA Cup?
- Tournament Dates: November 12 - December 17, 2024
- Game Days: Every Tuesday and Friday, plus additional games during the knockout rounds
- Defending Champions: Los Angeles Lakers
- Prize Money: $500,000 per player on the winning team; $200,000 for runners-up
- How to Watch: Available on NBA League Pass, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV
- TV & Streaming Schedule: Find where to watch upcoming games here
- More Information: Official Tournament Page
TV & Streaming Information
The Emirates NBA Cup opens the door to more, bonus edge-of-your-seat action, and fans will have plenty of ways to catch every moment. With games airing across multiple different platforms, there are options for every preference, whether you are tuning in via cable, streaming live, or watching on the move. Here is a breakdown of how to follow it all:
Cable TV
If you are a cable TV user, the major network providers that you will need are ESPN and TNT, who will both be airing double-headers on Tuesday and Friday Nights. These are branded as ‘Cup Nights’, adding some spice to our weekly schedules. The good news is that most major cable TV providers will include both ESPN and TNT in their packages, which means you will be able to enjoy the action without additional subscriptions.
If you do not currently have a Cable TV subscription, then one of the options listed below will do the job. These options start around the $60 per month mark for each network’s basic packages, which all include both TNT and ESPN.
- Cox: $61.00–$152.00/mo.
- DirecTV: $69.99–$159.99/mo
- Dish: $84.99-$114.99
- Verizon Fios: $69.00–$129.00/mo.
A subscription to one of these will give you access to the NBA Cup, but it is worth noting that they do often come with fixed contract terms. These can be cumbersome for some people, but it is also worth noting that these packages include a wide array of other channels, beyond those that you need for the NBA Cup. These will greatly upgrade your overall television viewing experience, offering many other sports, news, and entertainment channels to enjoy.
NBA League Pass
If you have been doing the mental math, you will have noted that the nationally broadcast double-headers won't come close to covering every single game. There are a large number of other games taking place at the same time that are not broadcast on national television. For these, you will need a subscription to NBA League Pass, which is a fantastic companion for any die-hard NBA fan.
NBA League Pass is the ultimate streaming service for basketball fans, offering live and on-demand access to NBA games throughout the season. Any game that is not being nationally broadcast will be available here, in addition to unrivaled action from the NBA regular season as well. League Pass starts at $14.99 per month, or $99.99 for the year, but there is a Premium package as well, which allows you to stream on 3 devices and removes commercials. This premium package costs $22.99 a month or $149.99 for the year.
The other benefit of NBA League Pass is that it comes with a fantastic app, which means you can tune into the NBA Cup on the move, on your mobile, tablet, or laptop.
Other streaming options
If you want to properly upgrade your television setup, but do not like the look of the cumbersome cable contracts, then the more flexible streaming options listed below may suit you better. These can be marginally more expensive each month, but come with other perks, a similarly impressive channel portfolio, and much more flexibility on your contracts. And, most importantly, they all include TNT and ESPN, which you need for the NBA Cup.
- fuboTV: $79.99 per month
- YouTube TV: $72.99 per month
- DirecTV Stream: $79.99 per month
- Hulu with Live TV: $76.99 per month
- SlingTV: $55 per month
- ESPN+: $11.99 per month
Emirates NBA Cup Structure & General Information
The Emirates NBA Cup brings a thrilling, playoff-like format to the regular season, with all 30 NBA teams competing across six groups (three in each conference). During the Group Stage, each team plays four games—two at home and two on the road—against others in its group. After these games, the top team from each group and one wild-card team from each conference advance to the Knockout Rounds, a single-elimination playoff format where the pressure is on. The wild card team is the best second-place finisher in each conference.
Where is the tournament held?
The group stage and quarterfinal games are hosted by NBA teams in their home arenas. However, the tournament’s final stages—the semifinals and championship game—will take place in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena.
What teams are playing?
All 30 NBA teams are participating, with groups carefully divided by conference for balanced competition.
Impact on the Regular Season
All games in the tournament count toward the regular season standings, except for the championship game. This adds some extra spice to each hotly-contested game, motivating teams to give each and every game their all.
What’s at stake?
Beyond pride and a new trophy, players from the winning team earn $500,000 each.
Author: Venuse, Inc.