The NBA is gearing up for another thrilling campaign, with the 2025-26 regular season tipping off on Tuesday, October 21. It's that time again when basketball fever grips the nation, and teams like the defending champions look to defend their crowns amid a packed slate of games. Opening night promises fireworks, featuring marquee matchups that could set the tone early.
Indeed, the schedule rollout has been methodical this year. Opening Week doubleheaders hit ABC and ESPN on October 22 and 23, showcasing high-stakes clashes right out of the gate. Christmas Day, always a highlight, brings five exclusive games across ESPN and ABC on December 25—think Lakers versus Warriors or Knicks facing the Bulls, drawing millions to their screens. But the real grind begins with 82 games per team, wrapping up just before the Play-In Tournament in mid-April.
TV coverage gets a fresh twist under the new media deals. ESPN and ABC hold strong with over 100 regular-season games, including playoffs and Finals. NBC and Peacock jump in for 100-plus contests, while Amazon Prime Video streams 66, focusing on Tuesday and Thursday nights. NBA TV fills the gaps with additional broadcasts, and international fans can catch select games via NBA TV abroad. Moreover, SiriusXM offers radio simulcasts for those on the go. It's a sprawling network, though some worry it fragments the viewing experience too much.
Key dates pepper the calendar: the Emirates NBA Cup kicks off in November, All-Star Weekend lands in San Francisco on February 15, and the Draft follows in June. However, injuries and trades could shuffle things unpredictably, as they always do. The full schedule is out now on NBA.com and ESPN, letting fans plan their watch parties.
With training camps opening and Media Days buzzing, excitement builds. Yet as the league navigates this revamped broadcast landscape, one can't help but ponder how it all shapes the game's accessibility for everyday viewers.