NBA Announces 2026 Finals Schedule, Format and Championship Rewards for Teams

NBA confirms the 2026 Finals will close the 2025‑26 season, featuring a best‑of‑seven series that decides the league champion and traditionally takes place in early June after the conference playoffs conclude.

Format requires the first team to win four games, with games alternating between the two finalists’ home arenas, giving the higher‑seeded club home‑court advantage in Games 1, 2, 5 and 6, while the opponent hosts Games 3, 4 and 7 if needed.

Broadcast arrangements include national television and streaming services, delivering live coverage to domestic and international audiences, generating premium advertising slots and sponsorship deals that typically command multi‑million‑dollar rates during the high‑visibility championship window.

Reward for the victorious club includes the Larry O'Brien Trophy, championship rings for players and staff, and a share of league revenue that can boost the franchise’s valuation, while the title also secures a spot in the upcoming NBA Global Games exhibition.