What the Heck is the NBL Ignite Cup? Your Guide to Wednesday Night Hoops

Right, so the NBL has gone and done something a bit different this season, and I reckon it's pretty clever. They've launched this thing called the Ignite Cup, and if you're scratching your head wondering what on earth that is, mate, you're not alone.

Wednesday Nights Just Got Interesting

Picture this: You're midweek, probably thinking about what's for tea, and suddenly there's meaningful basketball on every Wednesday night. The NBL has added 20 extra games to the season, all scheduled for Wednesdays, running from October through to late January. It's like they've given us a mid-week Christmas present that keeps on giving.

Each team plays four games in the tournament - two at home, two away. Simple as. But here's where it gets interesting...

The Scoring System That'll Do Your Head In (In a Good Way)

Forget everything you know about basketball scoring. Well, not really, but the Ignite Cup has this bonkers points system that makes every single quarter matter. Here's how it works:

Win the game? That's 3 points for the tournament standings
Win a quarter? That's 1 point
Draw a quarter? Both teams get 0.5 points
Lose a quarter? Zero, zilch, nada

So theoretically, you could win all four quarters AND the game and walk away with a maximum of 7 points. Or you could lose the game but still snag 3 points by winning three quarters. It's like they've turned basketball into a game within a game within a game. My Kiwi brain loves it.

If it goes to overtime, no extra points are awarded - just the 3 points for winning the game. Keeps it simple when things get complicated.

Show Me the Money

Now we're talking. There's 400 thousand dollars in prize money on the line. The winners pocket 300k, runners-up get 100k. And here's the kicker - 60% goes straight to the players, with the remaining 40% to the club. That's real money that'll make blokes dive for loose balls like their lives depend on it.

How Does It All Work?

The top two teams based on Ignite Cup points will face off in a standalone Final in February 2026. Location's still TBC, but you can bet it'll be a ripper of a night. And get this - all these games still count towards the regular season ladder too. So you're not just playing for the Ignite Cup; you're also jockeying for playoff position. Two birds, one stone.

Where We're At Right Now

As of today, the New Zealand Breakers are sitting pretty at the top with 18 points from three games - and as a Kiwi, you better believe I'm loving every minute of it! Perth Wildcats and Tasmania JackJumpers are hot on their heels, but the boys from across the ditch are showing everyone how it's done.

Why This Matters

Look, the NBL has always been a solid competition, but this adds another layer of excitement. Wednesday nights were traditionally a bit dead for sports in Australia - now they're must-watch TV. The quarter-by-quarter scoring means you can't take your foot off the gas for a second. Teams that might be out of playoff contention in the regular season still have something massive to play for.

Plus, with every game on Disney+ through ESPN, you can watch from the comfort of your couch in the country, no worries. No need to drive into town or find a dodgy stream.

The Bottom Line

The Ignite Cup is the NBL's way of spicing things up mid-season, and honestly, I'm here for it. It's fresh, it's exciting, and it gives us more basketball to watch. What's not to love? Wednesday nights have officially been ignited, and I reckon this could be the start of something special for Australian basketball.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a Kings vs 36ers game to watch tonight. Go the Breakers!

For more info, check out the official NBL Ignite Cup page. And if you're keen to catch the games, they're all streaming live on Disney+ with ESPN.