Managers, are you ready?

Sorare NBA 25-26 is shaping up to be one of our most rewarding seasons yet, with more ways to win, more to play for, and even more reasons to build perfect lineups. Today, we’re sharing key details to help you plan your strategy throughout the 2025-26 season, including:

🃏 Marketplace launch timing
🏀 Competition structure
🎁 New Player Tiers, Hot Streaks, and Prize Pools
🧪 Missions and Crafting updates
➕ Much more

Now is the time to catch up on Sorare NBA updates and get ready for tip-off.

Introducing Early Access to NBA 2025-26

To make Sorare NBA’s new season launch more exciting and accessible, we’re releasing cards across multiple days. To ensure Managers can scout as early as possible, we’re launching Early Access editions of Sorare NBA Cards. Before the regular season tips-off, you can buy Early Access cards of players on the marketplace.

Your Early Access card is game-ready and has a special chip design until the official card design is revealed just before the start of the regular season.

Here’s how it will work:

• Western Conference cards will be available first, hitting the market on October 7.
• Eastern Conference cards will follow, with sales starting October 9.
• Highly anticipated Rookie cards will drop on October 13.
• Early Access (EA) Cards will be revealed prior to the start of the season. Each EA card has a chance of revealing a Special Edition card. 

To give Managers more flexibility in initial roster building, Instant Buy will start between October 12 and October 21, so you can secure cards from your favorite players instantly as the new season approaches.

The first Sorare NBA competitions for the 2025-26 season will officially tip off on Tuesday October 21 when the regular season begins. Lineup submission will start October 7; this means you can start building your dream lineups and compete for leaderboard rewards from day one of card launch.

Competition Overview

In-Season Biweekly Competitions

In-Season competitions will look largely familiar this season, with one exciting improvement: more lineups. This year, every In-Season Competition will allow the use of 1 Classic Card per lineup submitted, making roster-building flexible whether you’re a collector or a strategist. In addition, each In-Season Competition will allow for 5 lineup submissions for Limited, Rare, and Super Rare/ Unique. This season is about rewarding smart planning and deep scouting from every Manager.

Classic Biweekly Competitions

In Classic Competitions, you can use your best Classic cards from years past and build lineups with no In-Season Card requirements. This year, we’re introducing Challenger, a Cap 140 + MVP competition, where Managers can submit 3 lineups per Game Week across Limited, Rare, and Super Rare/ Unique. We’ve been encouraged by the reception of the Cap 140 + MVP format in past special events, and we’re excited to offer it permanently for the regular season.

Arena

Making its debut in Sorare NBA, Arena introduces a new way to compete for a share of the Essence pool. In Arena, Managers can enter an unlimited number of lineups and no In-Season card requirements. Each Arena requires using Essence to submit a lineup.

When the Game Week starts, Managers are divided into leaderboards of 10, offering the chance to duke it out with a smaller pool of Managers. Managers also have a 5% chance entering a Golden Room, which offers double the Essence prizes for no additional cost.

To start the season, Arenas will be offered exclusively as Biweekly Competitions. There will be 3 different formats, all with different cap requirements and Essence requirements:

• Arena Uncapped: No limits. All stars. There is No Cap for this competition. 200 Essence required per entry
• Arena 140: Strategy meets rewards. Cap 140, no MVP. 150 Essence required per entry
• Arena 75: Underdogs thrive. Scout deep. Shine big. Cap 75, no MVP. 75 Essence required per entry
• Each Arena will have a Limited, Rare, and Super Rare/Unique Competition, in which you will use essence of the same scarcity to enter. Super Rare/Unique Arenas will require Super Rare Essence for entry and only reward Super Rare Essence.

⏱️ Standard Entry: Due to the importance of L10s, Arena competitions will have a standard entry requirement: submit lineups before the first game of the Game Week to be eligible.

No Bonuses: Arena competitions are all about skill. There are no XP, Collection, or Season bonuses applied to scores. May the best strategy win.

Daily Pickup

This season, we’re simplifying daily gameplay by running only Daily Pickup. With just one leaderboard, this competition will reward daily scouting even more, allowing Managers to focus on finding the best possible lineup every day. Daily Pickup will remain a Cap 120 + MVP competition with no In-Season requirements.

This means we’re also saying goodbye to Daily Hoops—while we were excited by the strategic variety it offered, we’re taking this opportunity to experiment with new game modes that will capture that same excitement, but with even more dynamic and rewarding daily gameplay.

Super Rare and Unique Merge

This season, Super Rare and Unique competitions will be combined for both In-Season and Classic. The merge between these scarcities will be carefully monitored to ensure that gameplay stays competitive, balanced, and potentially even more rewarding for everyone at the highest levels. For a full breakdown of our Super Rare and Unique In-Season Merge, read here. 

Rewards: New Player Tiers, Prize Pools & Hot Streaks

Updated Player Tiers

At Sorare NBA, we’re always looking for new ways to make the game more balanced, competitive, and rewarding for our Managers. That’s why we’re introducing an updated tiering system for the 2025-26 season.

With the aim of bringing even greater detail and fairness to player classification, we’re expanding our tiers from Star to Tier 5. This new system lets us categorize NBA players more precisely based on their performance, potential, and impact on the court.

Competition Prize Pools

The reward pools for Sorare NBA competitions have been carefully designed to provide more value and excitement than ever before. With a focus on Cash*, Cards, and Essence, we’re streamlining rewards to ensure Managers always know what they’re playing for. Whether you’re competing in In-Season Biweekly, Classic Biweekly, or Daily contests, every reward pool has been structured for simplicity and clarity, making it easier than ever to track your progress!

The In-Season Biweekly prize pools reward Managers with exciting cash* prizes for top performances, while Classic Biweekly competitions focus on cards and Essence, ensuring everyone has a chance to grow their collection, no matter their playstyle or experience level. And with Daily competitions designed to keep the rewards flowing throughout the NBA season, there is always something to play for. No matter your strategy, you’ll be able to earn meaningful rewards every day there is NBA basketball.

*Rewards may be offered in cash, ETH or other digital assets of equivalent value. Prizes may vary and are subject to applicable law.

Hot Streaks

In Sorare NBA, we feed the hot hand. Hot Streaks bring that same aura to Sorare NBA, rewarding Managers who perform strongly and consistently across In-Season NBA competitions. Each Game Week, at both Limited and Rare levels, you have up to ten chances to win Hot Streak cash* prizes simply by hitting set scoring targets.

Hot Streaks focus entirely on your individual performance; not your place on a leaderboard. Hit the points target and earn a cash* reward. You can set up to 5 lineups per competition every week, giving you multiple shots to start or keep your Hot Streak alive. However, each competition and scarcity lets you claim the reward once per Game Week, even if more than one lineup qualifies.

There are five Hot Streak levels tied to fixed cash* prize amounts. Each time you reach the target score, your Hot Streak levels up, raising the point goals and your potential rewards in the next Game Week.

Consistency pays–every Game Week your steady scoring can turn into real cash*. For example, a 240-point score in Limited last season may have earned you some Essence, but this season it kicks off a Hot Streak with a $5 cash* prize plus leaderboard rewards.

Best of all, your Hot Streak won’t reset if you skip a Game Week. If your favorite teams don’t play during that period, your streak stays hot and ready for when you compete again.

Get ready to give the hot hand plenty of heat checks and keep your streak blazing all season long.

Sealing

In Sorare NBA 26, every card in your collection brings more opportunity than ever. Cards do more than just power your lineups; they help you complete missions and now can be sealed in your Vault to boost your rewards throughout the season.

With Sealing, Managers can lock specific cards into their Vault, making them untouchable for selling, trading, or playing. In exchange, sealed cards help increase your Vault Level which enhances your percentage rewards in In-Season and Classic NBA competitions. Each card you seal grants Sealing Points based on its quality*, and accumulating more Sealing Points raises your Vault Level. Higher Vault Levels mean bigger bonuses applied to cash** and Essence rewards from every leaderboard finish.

It is important to note that Hot Streaks, Missions, Arena, and Special Event rewards are not boosted by Sealing. Sealed cards also remain part of your collection score, so your collection’s overall strength is never reduced.

For example, a Manager who reaches Sealing Level 10 and wins a $1,000* prize will actually receive $1,100* due to the 10 percent Sealing bonus.

*Quality depends on criteria determined solely by Sorare at its discretion, including, without limitation, the card’s appeal for collectors and popularity in the game at the time of the Sealing.

**Rewards may be offered in cash, ETH or other digital assets of equivalent value. Prizes may vary and are subject to applicable law.

Unsealing Cards

Sealing is a strategic choice but not permanent. Managers can unseal one card per scarcity every two weeks. Once a card is unsealed, its Sealing Points are removed and your Vault Level recalculates on the spot.

When can I start Sealing? 

Sealing will open on October 7. Boosted Sealing rewards begin right away from Game Week 1, so you can lock in your cards and start earning higher rewards as the first games tip off.

New NBA Crafting System

We’re making updates to the crafting system that will give NBA Managers more control, deeper strategy, and a more rewarding crafting experience.

As reflected in the growing prize pools, more NBA Managers are winning more Essence than ever before. Crafting will be more accessible and straightforward, making the thrill of winning and collecting new In-Season NBA Cards closer than ever.

Essence Balance Update

To prepare for the new season launch, your Essence balance will be multiplied to align with the new crafting system. Each scarcity will have their Essence multiplied as follows: 

• Limited: 10x
• Rare: 10x
• Super Rare: 10x
• Unique: 3x

We’re scaling balances generously to reward Managers who saved Essence and help them maximize the new crafting system from day one. The Essence rebalance will take place on October 6.

How NBA Crafting Will Work

Crafting is becoming simpler: you’ll need 1,000 Essence (post-scale) per draw, replacing the old milestone-based crafting tiers. For example, if you currently have 500 Limited Essence (equivalent to one T1+ craft), after the rebalance you’ll have 5,000 Essence: enough to craft up to 5 NBA In-Season Limited cards with great chances at top-tier players.

When crafting a card, you’ll receive a draw of 10 face-down cards with:

• 75% chance of a Standard Draw
• 25% chance of a Special Draw, which offers better odds of high-tier cards and immediate notification if you hit one

We’ll share full draw odds and card tier probabilities closer to the NBA season launch.

Crafting Clues & Buy Back

To help guide your card choices, you’ll be able to use Crafting Clues that reveal the division and position details of your draw, helping you make smarter picks. Essence costs for Crafting Clues will be temporarily discounted at launch. Here are the clues that will be available when the Card Factory opens on October 22: 

• Best Five Cards 
• Position 
• Division 

After choosing a card, you’ll see your full draw reveal and have the option to return the card for a partial Essence refund if you’re unsatisfied. More information on crafting will be available in the coming weeks.

Other Details

• Higher Essence Limit
• NBA crafting will start on October 22, one day after the first GW locks.

Stay tuned for the official NBA launch date and all the specifics on how to craft your way to elite NBA cards this season!

Emirates NBA Cup

This year, the Cup continues to get the spotlight it deserves with dedicated gameplay, big cash* rewards, and a level of competition that matches the high-stakes drama of the real thing.

For the Emirates NBA Cup, Hot Streaks get turbocharged. Every point, every clutch performance, and every winning lineup will be multiplied thanks to the Hot Streaks 5x multiplier during the Cup. That means the best runs and biggest moments will score you even MORE rewards, making every Game Week feel as electric as ever. If you’re serious about fantasy basketball, this is the time to lock in.

Stay tuned for more details in our upcoming blog. You won’t want to miss what’s coming.

Common Gameplay Change

Common mode in Sorare NBA is shifting its focus to engagement and fun. Inspired by the best developments from Sorare Football, the updated Common competitions introduce more enjoyable collection mechanics, the thrill of pack openings, and a smoother path for new Managers. 

Whether you’re just learning the game or prefer a more casual way to play, the new Common gameplay is designed as your launchpad into Sorare NBA: a place to experiment with lineups, collect and scrap cards, take on challenges, and climb the leaderboards.

A full breakdown of the Common game will be released in the coming days.

Missions

At the end of last season, we promised new ways to keep every Game Week exciting. Missions are returning this season, with a focus on the ones Managers found the most exciting. You’ll be able to win Essence, XP, and more by completing Missions throughout the season.

You will be able to track live Missions in the dedicated Missions Hub on the main page, log your picks, and claim rewards in real time.

Card XP Updates

Card XP progression in Sorare NBA will follow the same system as Football and MLB, making it easy for managers to move between sports and understand how their cards earn experience. 

Every card accumulates passive XP based on its lineup score, calculated as:

Passive XP per Game Week = Lineup score (without bonuses) divided by 5

*Rewards may be offered in cash, ETH or other digital assets of equivalent value. Prizes may vary and are subject to applicable law.

Enhanced XP Interface

Managing XP and leveling up player cards is easier than ever. In My Cards, you can apply just the amount needed from your reserve to reach the next level. Only the required XP is deducted.

Cooldown Period

After a Card levels up, a cooldown period will apply before XP from your reserve can be applied again. The duration of the cooldown varies by Card level: the higher the level, the longer the cooldown period.

Here’s a breakdown of XP Level thresholds, cooldown periods, and bonuses:

Level	XP additional level	Accumulated XP	Cooldown period	XP Bonus	Accumulated number of GWs to naturally reach the level	Accumulated number of 500 XP boosts needed
0	0	0		0	0	0
1	200	200	1 day	0.01	4	0.4
2	400	600	1 week	0.02	12	1.2
3	600	1200	1 week	0.03	24	2.4
4	1000	2200	2 weeks	0.04	44	4.4
5	1500	3700	2 weeks	0.05	74	7.4
6	2000	5700	2 weeks	0.06	114	11.4
7	3000	8700	2 weeks	0.07	174	17.4
8	5000	13700	2 weeks	0.08	274	27.4
9	7500	21200	4 weeks	0.09	424	42.4
10	10000	31200		0.1	624	62.4

Transition to New XP System

All cards will transition smoothly to the new system, retaining their existing XP bonus levels. Percentage bonuses are rounded up to the next full percent for clarity; so, for example, a card with a 6.5% XP bonus will become a 7% card. The transition to this new XP system will begin before the season update goes live on October 7. 

The 2026 Season Starts Now! 

With Sorare NBA 26, this season promises to be the most exciting yet, packed with fresh competition formats, more rewarding game weeks, and new ways to earn & collect with Sealing, Crafting, and Missions. Whether you’re a seasoned Manager or just starting out, evolving gameplay and rewards put the power in your hands to build winning lineups, strategize in new ways, and chase top-tier cards all season long.