K-Pop group CORTIS joins Friends of the NBA and will make history in the NBA All-Star Game in 2026

Seoul, Thekabarnews.com—The National Basketball Association (NBA) and BIGHIT MUSIC, a music label owned by the worldwide entertainment business HYBE Corp, have formally named K-pop group CORTIS as the newest member of the “Friends of the NBA” program in Asia.

The partnership is a big deal for CORTIS, a five-member K-pop group that is known for changing the genre with creative musical ideas and music that appeals to people from all cultures. The cooperation also shows how the NBA is still trying to connect sports, music, and youth culture around the world.

CORTIS will be involved in NBA games and league events. They will work on unique content projects. They will also create official NBA clothing and product collections. As part of the program, they will participate in a number of league promotional activities across the region.

The program aims to connect basketball with pop culture worldwide

The NBA has already said that CORTIS would be one of the main music performers at NBA Crossover, a big fan event that combines basketball, culture, and music. The Los Angeles Convention Center will host the event from Thursday, February 12, to Sunday, February 15, 2026 (US time). This event is part of NBA All-Star 2026.

CORTIS will make history by being the first K-pop group to play at NBA All-Star. On February 12, they will be the main attraction at the NBA Crossover Opening Night. However, the ensemble has yet to reveal the dates for their additional performances during NBA All-Star Weekend.

We will release more details about the partnership in the coming months. Furthermore, fans can sign up for updates at nba.com/CORTIS and follow CORTIS on Weverse to get the latest news.

CORTIS: A milestone beyond our imagination

“Joining the ‘Friends of the NBA’ program is a major turn for us, one that we never anticipated achieving so early in our careers. As a group trying to add new colors to the business, we find a natural connection between our music and the NBA’s creative attitude and bold approach to breaking boundaries. Our participation is a unique way for sports and culture to come together, and we are pleased to represent the NBA and engage with fans,” CORTIS said in a joint statement.

Wayne Chang, the Managing Director of NBA Asia, talked about how basketball and music are becoming more and more connected.

“Welcoming CORTIS into the ‘Friends of the NBA’ program shows how strong the link is between sports and music. K-pop has a lot in common with the NBA, such as how it can spark passion, creativity, and a worldwide fan base. We are excited to celebrate the art of basketball and K-pop with CORTIS and make new memories for fans all over the world, starting next month at the NBA All-Star in Los Angeles,” Chang added.

CORTIS has experienced a quick rise to prominence on the world stage

CORTIS has swiftly become one of the most talked-about new K-pop groups. Their first EP made it to No. 15 on the Billboard 200. This achievement made them the only new group of 2025 to do so. The release had well over 100 million streams in its first month, and the group’s fan following is still growing. They now have well over 17 million followers on TikTok and Instagram.

Rolling Stone called CORTIS “the coolest K-pop debut of 2025,” which solidified their place as one of the most promising bands in the business.

Making the NBA and K-Pop closer

The NBA’s long-standing partnership with K-pop gets even stronger with the help of CORTIS. In 2023, the league named BTS’s SUGA as an NBA Ambassador. Then, in 2024 and 2025, LE SSERAFIM and ENHYPEN joined the “Friends of the NBA” program.

The “Friends of the NBA” program started in 2022 and includes celebrities and influencers from the Asia-Pacific area. These celebrities and influencers participate in NBA games, events, and activities while also connecting with fans all around the world.

You can now buy tickets for NBA Crossover on NBAEvents.com. These tickets will get you into concerts and fan events all weekend long. VIP packages come with early admittance to the venue and access to the stage.