FAQ: NBA Play-In Tournament

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What is the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament?

The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament is contested between the teams that finish Nos. 7-10 in each conference and determines the teams that fill the seventh and eighth playoff seeds in each conference for the 2026 NBA playoffs.

When is the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament?

The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament will take place Tuesday, April 14 – Friday, April 17, with the games played after the regular season concludes and before the first round of the NBA playoffs begins.

How does the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament work?

While the teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference are guaranteed a playoff spot, the teams that finish Nos. 7-10 in the standings will enter the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament. These teams will battle for the seventh and eighth playoff seeds.

Here is an overview of how it works:

• Each conference’s No. 7 team in the standings will host the No. 8 team.
  • The winners secure the No. 7 seed in the playoffs.
  • The losers will get another chance to earn a playoff spot.
• Each conference’s No. 9 team in the standings will host the No. 10 team.
  • The winners will advance to the final stage of the Play-In Tournament.
  • The losers are eliminated.
• The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will host the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups.
  • The winners secure the No. 8 seed in the NBA playoffs for its conference.
  • The losing teams are eliminated.

Which teams will be in the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament?

Check the NBA Standings page for the latest conference seeding.

Western Conference

(7) TBD vs. (8) TBD

(9) TBD vs. (10) TBD

Eastern Conference

(7) TBD vs. (8) TBD

(9) TBD vs. (10) TBD

How can I watch the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament on television?

Prime Video will be the exclusive home for all six games of the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament. The game and broadcast schedule will be announced when finalized.

When are the NBA playoffs?

Below are the dates for the 2026 playoffs:

• April 12: Regular season ends (All 30 teams play)
• April 13: Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET)
• April 14-17: SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
• April 18: NBA Playoffs begin
• June 3: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 1 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• June 5: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 2 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• June 8: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• June 10: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 4 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• June 13: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 5 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
• June 16: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 6 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
• June 19: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 7 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)