Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NBA 2K League?
The NBA 2K League is a professional competitive esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two
Interactive. The NBA 2K League is the first official esports league operated by a U.S. professional sports league and features the world’s best NBA 2K players.
What is Take-Two?
Take-Two is a leading developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. It is the parent company of 2K Sports, which publishes the popular NBA 2K video game franchise.
When do the 2024 competitions begin?
The competitions tip off Feb. 28 with the NBA2KL 3v3 SLAM OPEN, the first of three tournaments in the NBA2KL 3v3 BLACKTOP SERIES, and will culminate with the NBA 2KL 5v5 Finals on Saturday, June 29.
Where are games being played?
NBA 2K League games will be played both remotely and in-person. In-person NBA 2K League games will take place at the new District E Powered by Ticketmaster in downtown Washington, D.C.
How many NBA 2K League teams are participating in 2024?
Twenty-five NBA 2K League teams will compete this season. They are:
76ers GC, Blazer5 Gaming, Bucks Gaming, Cavs Legion GC, Celtics Crossover Gaming, DUX Infinitos, Gen.G Tigers, Grizz Gaming, Hawks Talon GC, Heat Check Gaming, Hornets Venom GT, Jazz Gaming, Kings Guard Gaming, Knicks Gaming, Lakers Gaming, Magic Gaming, Mavs Gaming, NBL Oz Gaming, Nets GC, Pacers Gaming, Pistons GT, Raptors Uprising GC, T-Wolves Gaming, Warriors Gaming Squad, and Wizards District Gaming.
Do non-NBA 2K League teams get to play?
Community teams will have the opportunity to participate alongside NBA 2K League teams for a share of the 3v3 tournament prize pool in the NBA2KL 3v3 BLACKTOP SERIES. For more information on the 3v3 qualifier events, which tipped off Jan. 20 and goes through March 18, click here.
How are NBA 2K League games played?
Players will compete as unique custom characters (not as avatars of NBA players) in 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 gameplay. No artificial intelligence will be used; playing ability is strictly determined by skill.
When will NBA 2K League games be played?
Remote games will tip off at 6 p.m. ET Wednesday – Friday. In-person games in Washington, D.C. will tip off at 6 p.m. ET Wednesday – Saturday.
Are NBA 2K League games broadcast?
Games will be simulcast live on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels, and will be available on Cignal in the Philippines, Loco in India, and SPS.
What is the 2024 competition structure?
Separated into 3v3 and 5v5 splits, the season will unfold as follows:
- NBA2KL 3v3 BLACKTOP SERIES:
- SLAM OPEN: Feb. 28 – March 16
- SWITCH OPEN: March 20 – April 6
- STEAL OPEN: April 19 – 20
- NBA 2K League 3v3 Playoffs presented by Google Pixel: April 24 – 27
- THE BANNER CHAIN SERIES Powered by AT&T:
- THE TIPOFF Powered by AT&T: May 8 – 25
- THE TURN Powered by AT&T: May 29 – June 15
- THE TICKET Powered by AT&T: June 18 and June 22
- NBA 2K League 5v5 Playoffs presented by Google Pixel: June 26 – June 29
Is there prize money awarded in the NBA 2K League?
The NBA 2K League will award $2 million in cash prize money across THE BANNER CHAIN SERIES Powered by AT&T and NBA2KL 3v3 BLACKTOP SERIES tournaments, with the largest portion reserved for the NBA 2K League 5v5 Finals champions.
How many players are on each NBA 2K League team?
Each team will be composed of five players.
How did NBA 2K League teams fill their rosters?
Each of the 25 teams that competed in 2023 retained at least one and up to all five players who were on its roster at the end of the season.
All 25 teams had completed five‑player rosters after the 2024 NBA 2K League Draft in January.
How was the pool of eligible NBA 2K League players for the 2024 NBA 2K League Draft determined?
The 2024 draft pool consisted of unretained players, players who earned draft eligibility as part of the NBA 2K League Become a Pro Series and the NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series, and select competitors from the NBA 2K League’s APAC, Australian and European Invitationals.
Is there an age requirement for players in the NBA 2K League?
Players must be 18 years old, and must have graduated from high school (or, if the player did not graduate, the class with which the player would have graduated must have graduated), in order to be eligible to play in the NBA 2K League.
What will the experience be like for players in the NBA 2K League?
All NBA 2K League players will be paid a guaranteed, competitive salary and will receive benefits including housing. Teams will either live in in the league’s central location of Washington, D.C. or their respective team’s market during the season for training. The NBA 2K League will play a combination of remote and in-person games in Washington, D.C.
Who oversees the NBA 2K League?
NBA 2K League CEO Andrew Perlmutter joins the NBA 2K League from Backbeat Capital Partners, a firm that pursued entertainment IP acquisitions of $50M-$500M total enterprise value. Prior to co-founding Backbeat Capital Partners, Perlmutter served as Chief Strategy Officer at ITRenew Inc., leading all revenue-generating teams and capabilities for the business, which guided the company’s growth to a ~$1BN sale to Iron Mountain. Perlmutter earned his MBA and Juris Doctor from Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School, respectively, and a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University.
Where is more information available about the NBA 2K League?
For more information, fans can sign up to receive emails at NBA2KLeague.com and follow the NBA 2K League on Twitter (NBA2KLeague), Instagram (nba2kleague), Facebook (NBA 2K League), TikTok (nba2kleague), Twitch (NBA2KLeague) and YouTube (NBA 2K League).