The recent NBA offseason captured headlines with some of the league’s biggest stars shining overseas and others taking their talents to new teams via trade and free agency; as a result, you may be itching to play with your new-look squad in NBA 2K25’s Play Now mode. When you hit the court in the latest iteration of the NBA 2K franchise September 4, 5am PST on PS5 and PS4, experience a bevy of enhancements across all of NBA 2K25’s competitive game modes, including Play Now Online* featuring the return of Leagues, an overhauled leaderboard and ranking system, and more! 

We also have first details on the PS5 Digital Edition – NBA 2K25 Bundle**, coming soon on September 4.

Whether you’re playing solo or with a friend, the classic Play Now mode is the quickest way to jump into the action and start throwing down thunderous dunks in a traditional head-to-head format. Choose from current NBA teams updated with active rosters, or pay homage to basketball’s legends with iconic rosters from the past. While you’ll immediately have the pick of the litter in offline Play Now, the rules of Play Now Online are slightly different.

The biggest change to Play Now Online is the return of Leagues, a five-level ranking system with Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and GOAT to determine your skill level. Every player will begin at the Bronze level and have all 30 current NBA teams to choose from, but in order to gain access to the expanded list, you’ll need to level up.

• Bronze to Silver: Unlocks ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s eras teams
• Silver to Gold: Unlocks 2000s era teams
• Gold to Platinum: Unlocks 2010s era teams
• Platinum to GOAT: Unlocks a GOATED Team (new GOATED team each Season)

To advance from Bronze to Silver and so on, you’ll need to accrue enough Victory Points by winning to move on. But there’s a catch: in NBA 2K25, you’ll only be able to use the same team once every five games, or until you level up to the next League. As much fun as it would be to dominate every game with the Boston Celtics, there’s an added incentive for using a lesser-ranked squad.

Leagues use overall ratings to group teams into three tiers to quantify how the Victory Points are awarded. Take a look below:

• Tier 1 – Win with one of the top 10 overall-rated teams in the NBA to receive the smallest amount of Victory Points
• Tier 2 – Win with teams ranked 11-20 overall to receive the medium amount of Victory Points
• Tier 3 – Win with teams ranked 21-30 overall to receive the largest amount of Victory Points

The pursuit of victory is the ultimate goal in Play Now Online, but leveling up comes with its own set of bragging rights. Players who accrue enough points in the GOAT League will receive a VC prize, an All-time Team, and Prestige for completing the GOAT League. In addition, players who rank in the Top 100 players will receive an in-game logo, visible to all players, to show off their achievement.

Play Now Online in NBA 2K25 maintains the same authentic feel it always has, but this year it’s been refreshed with significant changes to add another layer of competitive fun for you to enjoy. The simpler, cleaner UI makes understanding the new progression system easy for all skill levels, and adds to the overall intuitive nature of Play Now.

We can’t wait for you to experience Play Now Online and all of the other enhancements in NBA 2K25 coming September 4 to PS5 and PS4. 

PS5 Console – NBA 2K25 Bundle

We’re also excited to announce the PS5 Digital Edition – NBA 2K25 Bundle coming soon on September 4. 

Experience on-the-court immersion made possible by the DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Explore NBA 2K25’s more intimate City environment with 4K resolution***. Enjoy shortened load times and return to the action faster than ever with the PS5 console’s high-speed SSD. The PS5 Digital Edition – NBA 2K25 Bundle includes:

• PlayStation 5 Digital Edition
• DualSense wireless controller
• 2 Horizontal stand feet
• HDMI cable
• AC power cord
• USB cable
• Printed materials
• Astro’s Playroom (Pre-installed game. PS5 console may need to be updated to the latest system software version. Internet connection required.)
• NBA 2K25 Standard Edition voucher¹

¹Account for PlayStation Network and internet connection required to redeem voucher.

* PlayStation Plus subscription and internet connection required for online gameplay. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose until cancellation. Terms apply, see play.st/psplus-usageterms. 

** The PS5 Digital Edition – NBA2K25 bundle is available in US and Canada at select retailers only. Subject to availability. Available from 12am local time on September 4. NBA 2K25 purchased through a bundle will not be accessible until the official launch of NBA 2K25 on September 4 at 5 AM PST.

*** 4K and HDR require a 4K and HDR compatible TV or display.