For next-gen, NBA 2K21 will feature drastically improved load speeds, visual fidelity on an unmatched level and an unrivaled breadth of content for basketball fans and players. Fans can expect new game features, game modes, brand partnerships, social events, in-game experiences and a brand new soundtrack that will set the record as the most definitive collection of music ever assembled in a video game.

While the next-generation version of NBA 2K21 is being built from the ground up for next-generation consoles, 2K is also introducing several initiatives to bridge the two versions of the game. NBA 2K21 will feature MyTEAM Cross-Progression and a Shared VC Wallet within the same console family (PS4 to PS5, Xbox One to Xbox Series X).

MyTEAM Cross-Progression enables all MyTEAM Points, Tokens, cards and progress to be shared on both current and next-generation versions of NBA 2K21 in the same console family; similarly, the Shared VC Wallet means any earned or purchased VC is accessible across both current and next-generation versions of NBA 2K21 in the same console family. As shared earlier, players who are interested in picking up both versions of NBA 2K21 on either PlayStation or Xbox can check out the Mamba Forever Edition, which provides dual-access by providing purchasers with a copy of the standard edition of NBA 2K21 on the other generation at no additional cost, within the same console family.

The tournament is already underway and will be played using the MyTEAM Unlimited Mode on NBA 2K21 for PS4 and Xbox One, which features 5-on-5 NBA-style gameplay and allows users to choose any 13 cards from their Collection.

Players can enter the tournament by pre-qualifying at the beginning of each new MyTEAM Season. Seasons are new to NBA 2K21’s MyTEAM mode, and bring new content and ways to play MyTEAM all year long at no additional cost. Each new MyTEAM season features new daily, weekly and seasonal-based challenges and prizes for players to unlock.

Players need to reach the Emerald Unlimited tier in Unlimited Mode to qualify for one of four GameDays, where they will compete for the highest score by playing a series of qualifying matches. Pre-qualifying is already underway for the first GameDay.

Right now, players can pre-qualify to compete in one of four upcoming GameDays: 

• October 10, 2020
• November 21, 2020
• January 2, 2021
• February 6, 2021

Pre-qualifying periods for each GameDay begins at the start of each new Season. Seasons are new to NBA 2K21’s MyTEAM mode, and bring new content and ways to play MyTEAM all year long at no additional cost. Each new MyTEAM season features new daily, weekly and seasonal-based challenges and prizes for players to unlock.

• Pre-Qualifying Period for First Game Day on October 10: Play between September 4, 2020 at 12:00:00 AM local time until October 10, 2020 at 9:59:59 AM PT.
• Pre-Qualifying Period for Second GameDay on November 21. Play between October 16, 2020 at 8:00:00 AM PT until 9:59:59 AM PT on November 21, 2020.
• Pre-Qualifying Period for Third GameDay on January 2, 2021. Play between November 27, 2020 at 8:00:00 AM PT until 9:59:59 AM PT on January 2, 2021.
• Pre-Qualifying Period for 4th GameDay on February 6, 2021. Play between January 8, 2021 at 8:00:00 AM PT until 9:59:59 AM PT on February 6, 2021.

The top four competitors with the highest score on each console family (PlayStation and Xbox) will be slotted for the final MyTeam Tournament on February 20, 2021, where 32 players will play head-to-head elimination matches until the winners from each console are determined. The two best console players will then compete in the final Championship on March 6, 2021 for their share of the $250,000 prize purse, where the winner will receive $200,000 and the runner-up will receive $50,000. Due to current events, all matches including the finals will be played online.

The tournament is open to players aged 18 and over in eligible territories. Players must compete on the same platform family (PlayStation or Xbox) throughout the entire contest. 

Full contest rules are available here and an abbreviated set of rules is below: 

NBA 2K21 MyTEAM Unlimited $250,000 Tournament Abbreviated Rules

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States & D.C. (excluding AZ, CT, MD, and ND), Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia, Chile, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey, who are at least 18 years of age and the age of majority in their state/country/province of residence. Game must be played on Xbox One (“XBO”) or PlayStation 4 (“PS4”).  To participate, you must have NBA® 2K21 game (“Game”), Xbox Gold Service or PS Plus service, and Internet connection. Void in AZ, CT, MD, ND, Quebec and where prohibited.

This Contest consists of: (i) the Pre-Qualifying Period; (ii) the GameDays; and (iii) the Tournament.  You must qualify during the Pre-Qualifying Period to participate in the GameDays.  The Pre-Qualifying Period begins on September 4, 2020 at 12:00:00 AM local time.  The first GameDay takes place on October 10, 2020 and the last GameDay takes place on February 6, 2021.  You must qualify for the Tournament, which is currently scheduled to take place on February 20, 2021 at 10:00 AM U.S. Pacific Time. 

Subject to the Official Rules, which will be posted here.

The path to basketball superstardom is a dream for many and achieved by few in real life, but in NBA 2K21 you’ll have that opportunity as you carve your own path in MyCAREER, a new storyline that takes your player from high school through college - incorporating ten officially-licensed college programs - and eventually the NBA! Always a highlight for millions of players around the world each year, MyCAREER offers a personal, cinematic basketball experience where you’ll build your custom MyPLAYER and take them to the heights of their career on and off the court.

In NBA 2K21, this year’s narrative, The Long Shadow, tells the story of Junior – the son of a beloved baller who faces the challenges of trying to make it to the NBA, balancing legacy while carving his own path through high school to college. Making this journey more authentic to real life, NBA 2K21 will feature 10 officially licensed college programs to choose from in the story: Michigan State, UConn, Florida, Gonzaga, Syracuse, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, UCLA, Villanova University and West Virginia.

Of course, just making it to the draft doesn't mean the end of the journey - it's just the beginning! You'll have to choose the right representation, manage team interviews, perform well at the NBA Combine and improve your Draft stock to land yourself in the best position for success.

Also, it wouldn’t be MyCAREER without some familiar famous faces. In NBA 2K21, you’ll see Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy), Michael K. Williams (The Wire, Boardwalk Empire), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, Guardians of the Galaxy), Mireille Enos (The Killing, World War Z) and cover athletes Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson and more bring Junior’s story to life in a dramatic and cinematic way. 

NBA 2K21 will be available worldwide on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia on September 4, 2020. NBA 2K21 will also be available on PS5 and Xbox Series X as a launch title this holiday.