As the 2026–27 NBA season tips off, the league has launched the Season Start Challenge, an interactive initiative designed to help fans engage with new storylines and roster changes across the association. The campaign, which runs from October 19 through October 25, offers supporters the opportunity to earn a digital badge while potentially securing a grand prize trip for two to the
The challenge is open to fans in the United States and Canada, excluding Québec, who sign in with a free
Engaging with the NBA Digital Experience
To complete the challenge, fans must navigate four distinct features integrated into the NBA platform. The first activity, Follow a Team, encourages users to select their preferred franchise to receive tailored updates on scores and standings. The second task, Ask NBA, invites fans to explore league history, statistics, and records by submitting a question to the platform's database.
The final two activities focus on live game consumption and analysis. Game Pulse provides users with deeper insights into ongoing matchups, moving beyond basic box scores to explain the context of on-court action. Meanwhile, the Tap to Watch feature serves as a guide for fans to locate and stream upcoming games. Once all four tasks are finished, participants earn their Season Start Challenge badge.
Chasing the Emirates NBA Cup
Beyond the digital badge, eligible participants who complete the challenge during the designated window are entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Championship. The sweepstakes adds a layer of excitement to the early stages of the season, which follows a historic 2025–26 campaign where the New York Knicks achieved a rare double by winning both the Emirates NBA Cup and the NBA Finals.
With new rosters and fresh narratives defining the start of the 2026–27 season, the league is positioning the challenge as a primary way for fans to stay connected to the action. Interested participants are encouraged to sign in via their NBA ID to begin the process and review the official rules regarding eligibility for the championship trip prize.
