The 2026-27 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, October 20, and national games are now split between NBC, Peacock, ESPN, ABC and Amazon Prime Video, while many local broadcasts have moved to team streaming apps. This guide shows you which service carries which nights, what each one costs and how to watch your team without a cable contract.
2026-27 NBA season at a glance
- Opening night: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, with three games on NBC and Peacock.
- National games: NBC and Peacock, ESPN and ABC, and Prime Video.
- Out-of-market games: NBA League Pass, from $17 a month.
- Local games: many teams now stream on their own apps, and 15 teams show some games free over the air.
- Christmas Day: five games on ABC and ESPN.
- Regular season ends: Sunday, April 11, 2027.
NBA Opening Night 2026 Schedule
The season starts on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with a triple-header on NBC and Peacock:
| Game | Tip-off (ET) | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons | 3:00 p.m. | NBC, Peacock |
| Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks | 7:00 p.m. | NBC, Peacock |
| Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs | 9:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock |
NBC is a broadcast network, so you can watch all three games free with a TV antenna if you get a clear NBC signal.
Which Channel Has the NBA Each Night
National games follow a weekly pattern. According to DirecTV’s 2026-27 NBA guide:
| Night | Channel or app |
|---|---|
| Monday | Peacock and NBCSN |
| Tuesday | NBC and Peacock |
| Wednesday | ESPN |
| Thursday | Prime Video doubleheaders (from January) |
| Friday | Prime Video, plus some ESPN games from January |
| Saturday | ABC, plus some Prime Video games from February |
| Sunday | ABC and NBC/Peacock, mostly later in the season |
Schedules can change, so check the listing for your game a day or two before tip-off.
Streaming Apps and Prices
These prices come from PCWorld’s 2026-27 NBA streaming guide, published October 15, 2026:
| Service | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Peacock Premium | $13/month | NBC and NBCSN games, including Monday nights |
| ESPN Unlimited | $30/month | About 80 games on ESPN and ABC |
| Prime Video | $9/month alone, or included with Amazon Prime ($15/month or $139/year) | About 66 games |
Tip: you do not need every service all season. Prime Video’s Thursday games start in January, so you can add it then and cancel services you stop using.
NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass streams out-of-market games, meaning games that are not shown on TV where you live.
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| League Pass | $17/month or $110/season | Out-of-market games with ads |
| League Pass Premium | $25/month or $160/season | No ads, up to three streams at once |
How to Watch Your Local Team
Local broadcasts changed a lot this season. FanDuel Sports Network has shut down, and most teams now stream locally through their own services. A few examples from PCWorld’s guide:
- DAZN team passes ($20/month or $120/season): Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Memphis, Minnesota, Orlando and San Antonio.
- Peacock plus a regional fee: Boston, Golden State, Philadelphia and Sacramento.
- Team apps: for example Spectrum SportsNet+ for the Lakers ($20/month), ClipperVision for the Clippers ($15/month) and MSG on DAZN for the Knicks ($30/month).
Prices and options differ for every team. The quickest way to check is your team’s official website, which lists how to watch local games this season.
How to Watch NBA Games for Free
- Use an antenna. Games on NBC and ABC are free over the air. That includes opening night, Christmas Day and the NBA Finals, which air on ABC.
- Check your team’s local TV. PCWorld lists 15 teams with some local games on free broadcast TV: Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Indiana, Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio and Utah.
- Find your channels. The FCC’s DTV Reception Maps show which broadcast stations you can pick up at your address.
Live TV Services
If you want national games in one app with a regular TV guide, a live TV service is the simplest option, but it costs more:
| Service | Price | NBA channels |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $83/month, or $65/month Sports plan | ABC, ESPN, NBC, NBCSN |
| Fubo | $89/month plus regional fees, or $65/month Sports plan | ABC, ESPN, NBC, NBCSN |
| Hulu + Live TV | $100/month | ABC, ESPN, NBC, NBCSN |
| DirecTV | From $95/month, or $65/month MySports | ABC, ESPN, NBC (no NBCSN) |
| Sling | $20/month Essentials | ESPN |
None of these include Prime Video games, so add Prime Video when its games start.
Key Dates for the 2026-27 NBA Season
| Event | Date | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Opening night | Oct. 20, 2026 | NBC, Peacock |
| NBA Cup group play | Oct. 30 to Nov. 27, 2026 | Varies by game |
| NBA Cup knockout rounds | Dec. 4 to 11, 2026 | Prime Video |
| Christmas Day games | Dec. 25, 2026 | ABC, ESPN |
| All-Star Weekend (Phoenix) | Feb. 19 to 21, 2027 | NBC, Peacock |
| Regular season ends | April 11, 2027 | Varies by game |
| Play-In Tournament | April 13 to 16, 2027 | Prime Video |
| NBA Finals | After the playoffs (dates to be announced) | ABC |
The five Christmas Day games are Spurs at Knicks (noon ET), Heat at Celtics (2:30 p.m.), 76ers at Lakers (5 p.m.), Thunder at Timberwolves (8 p.m.) and Nuggets at Warriors (10:30 p.m.).
Get Ready for Tip-Off
- Test your speed: aim for at least 25 Mbps for smooth HD and more for 4K or several screens. What Is IPTV? The Complete Guide for US Cord-Cutters explains the speeds we recommend.
- Use a wired connection for your TV or streaming stick if you can.
- Update your apps the day before a big game.
- Fix buffering early. Our guide on how to stop buffering on Firestick has 10 fixes that work on most devices.
Watching other sports this fall? See how to watch the MLB playoffs without cable and how to watch NFL RedZone and Sunday Ticket.
NBA Streaming FAQ
When does the 2026-27 NBA season start?
Opening night is Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with three games on NBC and Peacock.
What channel is NBA opening night on?
All three opening night games air on NBC and stream on Peacock: Celtics at Pistons, 76ers at Knicks and Thunder at Spurs.
Does NBA League Pass include every game?
No. League Pass shows out-of-market games only. National games and your local team’s games are blacked out.
Can I watch the NBA without cable?
Yes. Peacock, ESPN Unlimited and Prime Video carry the national games, League Pass covers out-of-market games, and most teams now sell their own streaming app for local games.
Where can I watch the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals air on ABC in the United States, which is free with an antenna.
Cut the Cable Bill All Season
Basketball season is long, and so is your TV bill. See how much you could save on everyday viewing and try it free for 24 hours.
Start My Free Trial See Our Plans
Comments