NBA schedule released for 2025-26

The NBA releases the full 2025-26 regular season schedule with new streaming partners, a global schedule spine, and the Emirates Cup as a key fixture.

NBA unveils 2025-26 schedule streaming driven Emirates Cup

The NBA has released the full schedule for the 2025-26 regular season, detailing broadcast and streaming arrangements with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon. The plan centers on broad streaming access, with ESPN App for ABC/ESPN games, Peacock for NBCUniversal events, and Prime Video for Amazon broadcasts. Opening night features a doubleheader on October 21, 2025, as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors visit the Los Angeles Lakers.

Other highlights include the Emirates NBA Cup Group Play, a December knockout stage, and the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament exclusively on Prime Video. The regular season runs through April 12, with 80 of each team’s 82 games scheduled and two unassigned games determined by Emirates Cup results. A new digital feature will guide fans to live streams across league and partner platforms, aiming to simplify game access. The schedule also anticipates 88 primetime European games and global fixtures such as the Berlin and London games, underscoring a push for broader, digital-first reach.

The shift toward streaming across multiple platforms marks a significant change in how fans access NBA games. It could grow the audience by meeting viewers on their preferred devices, but it also tests how smoothly the experience remains integrated across apps and services. Making the Play-In exclusive to Prime Video signals a bold bet on digital ecosystems and could influence sub-licensing dynamics, viewer friction, and the economics of late-season basketball.

Beyond the streaming strategy, the league’s global footprint expands with Emirates Cup involvement, European primetime games, and high-profile events like Rivals Week. If the execution holds, these moves could magnify brand reach and sponsorship value. The real measure will be whether fans feel the season is more accessible and engaging, or simply more fragmented by platform boundaries.

Highlights

The calendar sets a busy year for players, teams, and fans as the league leans into streaming and global events.