When does NBA season start? The 2025–26 NBA season officially tips off on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, marking the return of one of the most exciting times in basketball. Fans have waited months through trades, free agency, and preseason hype — and now, the action is finally here. The NBA season opener features the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Houston Rockets, followed by a marquee matchup between LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers and Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors.
🗓️ Official NBA 2025–26 Season Start Date
The NBA season starts on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, with a doubleheader broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.
- Game 1: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets (7:30 p.m. ET, Paycom Center)
- Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors (10:00 p.m. ET, Crypto.com Arena)
These two games set the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable NBA season — from championship sports celebrations in Oklahoma City to superstar showdowns in Los Angeles.
How to Watch the NBA Season Opener Live
Basketball fans can catch both opening-night games on NBC and stream them live on Peacock.
NBC has reintroduced national NBA broadcasts for 2025–26, joining ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and ABC as official broadcasting partners.
Here’s the weekly national broadcast schedule for 2025–26:
- Monday: Peacock
- Tuesday: NBC, Peacock
- Wednesday: ESPN
- Thursday: Amazon Prime
- Friday: ESPN, Prime Video
- Saturday: ABC (Primetime)
- Sunday: NBC/Peacock (Evening Showcase)
This new media deal ensures that fans can follow their favorite teams across multiple platforms with high-quality streaming and analysis.
What Makes the 2025–26 NBA Season Special?
The 2025–26 NBA season brings new storylines and historic milestones:
- The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the season as defending champions for the first time in franchise history.
- LeBron James begins his record 23rd NBA season, while Steph Curry continues to lead the Warriors’ dynasty push.
- Several rookies and rising stars, including top draft picks, are set to make their debuts.
The league also continues its global expansion, featuring international broadcasts in over 200 countries, reflecting the NBA’s ever-growing worldwide audience.
When Does NBA Season Start ?
The full NBA 2025–26 schedule includes:
- 82 regular-season games per team
- NBA All-Star Weekend: February 2026
- Play-In Tournament: April 2026
- NBA Playoffs: Begin late April
- NBA Finals: Expected to start in early June 2026
Fans can buy tickets directly from official NBA platforms, with some early-season matchups already selling fast — especially marquee games like Lakers vs. Warriors, Celtics vs. Bucks, and Thunder vs. Nuggets.
What Time Do NBA Games Start?
Most NBA games tip off between 7:00 and 10:30 p.m. ET, depending on time zones and broadcast schedules.
International fans can use the NBA App for live game times and streaming options tailored to their regions.
How to Stream NBA Games Online
In addition to traditional TV broadcasts, you can stream live games through:
- NBA League Pass (global access to all games)
- Peacock (NBC games)
- Amazon Prime Video (Thursday & Friday nights)
- ESPN+ (mid-week coverage)
- ABC app (primetime weekend games)
These streaming options make it easy to watch games anywhere — whether on your TV, tablet, or smartphone.
Why Fans Are Excited About This Season
The NBA has entered a new era of parity and talent. The 2025–26 season promises:
- Tighter competition across both conferences
- More global stars than ever before
- Enhanced fan engagement with new digital features
- Expanded in-season content like the NBA Cup and team docuseries
Every team has something to prove — from young squads chasing playoff dreams to veterans seeking one last title run.
When does NBA season start?
Mark your calendars for October 21, 2025!
That’s when basketball’s biggest stars return, the arenas come alive, and fans around the world tune in for another unforgettable season. Whether you’re watching on NBC, Peacock, or streaming globally, this NBA season promises elite competition, history-making performances, and plenty of drama from opening night to the Finals.
Quick Facts
- Season Start Date: October 21, 2025
- Opening Night Games: Thunder vs. Rockets, Lakers vs. Warriors
- TV Channels: NBC, Peacock
- Regular Season Ends: April 2026
- Playoffs Begin: Late April 2026
NBA Finals: Early June 2026
