“The Theater” in NBA 2K25 is game mode and location in The City which contains a variety of game modes with special rules which fluctuate every week. The benefits of playing The Theater include getting into games faster with instant matchmaking (without having to wait in “Got Next” spots), as well as being able join up as a squad or solo, and more. If you’re just trying to get a few games in fast and mix it up, The Theater is the best mode for this.
Here we’ve put together a guide which features Theater events, rules, schedule, location, and more!
NBA 2K25 THEATER LOCATION
You can find the Theater on the strip of real estate between Starting 5 and The Rec.
NBA 2K25 THEATER EVENT SCHEDULE
NBA 2K25 THEATER MODES
(note: work in progress)
LOSER’S OUT (2v2)
- Squads or not
- Opposing team gets possession after made baskets
- 2v2
LOSER’S OUT (1v1)
- Park style game to 21. The non-scoring player receives possession of the ball
- 1v1
LOSER’S OUT (No Squads)
- Non scoring player receiving possession of the ball
- 2v2
HUSTLE
- Squads or not
- 12-second shot clock
- 3v3
NO SQUADS
- No squads allowed
- 3v3
COMP
- Settings tuned for hardcore players
- 3v3
COMP (Squads Only)
- Settings tuned for hardcore players
- 3v3
ROOKS
- No squads allowed
- Only Players with 75 OVR or below allowed
- 3v3
ROOKS (Squads Only)
- Only Players with 75 OVR or below allowed
- 3v3
90s
- Only Players with 90 OVR or above allowed
- 1v1
90s (Squads Only)
- Only Players with an OVR of at least 90 are allowed entry
- 3v3
40s ONLY (Squads Only)
- Only Players with a Season Level of 40 are allowed entry
- 2v2
40s ONLY (No Squads)
- Only Players with a Season Level of 40 are allowed entry
- 2v2
40s ONLY (No Squads)
- Only Players with a Season Level of 40 are allowed entry
- 1v1
DOUBLE DUNKS
- Dunks are worth an additional 2 points for the team
- 2v2
DOUBLE DUNKS
- Dunks are worth an additional 2 points for the team
- 3v3
DOUBLE ALLEYS
- Alley-oop plays are worth an additional 2 points for the team
- 3v3
DOUBLE ALLEYS (Squads Only)
- 2v2 park style game to 21
- 4 points for every completed alley
- 2v2
HEATER
- Start with Takeover available
- 3v3
2v2 (No Squads)
- 2v2 park style game to 21
- Scoring player receiving possession of the ball
- 2v2
3v3 (No Squads)
- Nothing but the basics
- 3v3
4v4
- 4v4 park style game to 21
- 4v4
5v5
- 5v5 Park style game to 21
- 5v5
QUADS
- Park style game to 21
- 4v4
FULL SQUAD
- Assemble your team
- 5v5
DOUBLE OR NOTHING
- Winning players will earn 2XP
- Losing players will earn 0 XP
- 3v3
THE CAGES
- Cage style games to 21
- 3v3
2K15
- Games to 15 By 1s and 2s
- 3v3
AND 1
- Free Throws Enabled
- 3v3
AND 1
- Free Throws Enabled
- 2v2
BONUS ASSISTS
- 3v3 park style game to 21
- Assisted baskets earn an additional point per team
- 3v3
QUICK GAME
- 3v3 Park style game to 11
- Scoring is by 2s/3s
- 3v3
IN THE BANK
- Turnovers, blocks, and steals add a team point to the vault
- Hit a 3 to collect the vault balance
- 3v3
PULLING WEIGHT
- Teammates contribute equally on offense
- 3v3
LIVING THE DREAM
- Your MyPLAYER will play to their true potential. Attributes and badges are maxed for that build during this event.
SHUT ‘EM DOWN
- Bonus point for defensive stops
- 3v3
TRUE SHOT
- Shot timing uses real player %
- 2v2
BALLERS ONLY
- Only players with a performance level of ‘Baller’ or higher can play
- 3v3
GOATS ONLY
- Only players with a performance level of G.O.A.T. are allowed entry
- 3v3
MTN. DEW CHARGED ZONE
- Shots made from the highlighted Charged Zone will be worth an additional point for your team
- 3v3
GATORADE HEATER
- Start with Takeover available
- 3v3
CAFFEINATED
- Gameplay speed increased by 25%
- 3v3
BEAT THE PROS
- Take on CPU teams of the NBA’s best players
- 3v3
REINFORCEMENTS
- Choose 2 CPU teammates and face off against another player and their 2 CPU teammates
- 3v3
SHUT ‘EM DOWN
- Bonus point for defensive stops
- 3v3
NO HARM NO FOUL
- Anything goes basketball. No shooting fouls. No reaching fouls.
- 4v4
Click here for the schedule of all events in NBA 2K25
