The National Basketball Association is gearing up for another thrilling campaign, with the 2025-26 regular season set to tip off on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. This marks the league's 80th year, and fans can already feel the buzz building as teams finalize rosters amid high-stakes free agency moves. Indeed, the opening night features a doubleheader that promises to draw massive audiences: the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Houston Rockets at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Golden State Warriors facing the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. ET. Both games will air on NBC and stream on Peacock, signaling the network's return to NBA coverage after years away.
However, the schedule extends far beyond that explosive start. The regular season will wrap up on Sunday, April 12, 2026, with all 30 teams in action, including an ESPN doubleheader to close things out. In between, expect the usual grind of 82 games per team, punctuated by marquee events like the Emirates NBA Cup in November and the All-Star Game in February. Moreover, Christmas Day—always a highlight—brings five exclusive games across ESPN and ABC on Thursday, December 25, featuring rivalries that could shift early narratives. The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament follows in mid-April, streaming solely on Prime Video, before the playoffs ignite on April 18.
TV coverage has evolved notably this year, with a new media rights deal shaking things up. ESPN and ABC hold the fort on Wednesdays, Fridays, and select weekends, while NBC steps in with 100 regular-season games, many on Sundays. Peacock will stream those, plus playoffs, and Prime Video grabs the Play-In and some regular matchups. TNT Sports remains a player too, though its role feels somewhat diminished post-deal. Indeed, international fans get boosts via Prime Video in Europe and Latin America, and ESPN's global reach in Africa and Asia. This fragmentation might frustrate casual viewers chasing every game, but it undeniably expands accessibility.
Still, as the league navigates labor talks and potential rule tweaks, one wonders how these broadcast shifts will truly impact the sport's rhythm and fan engagement in the long run.