The NBA never stops, but with another off-season of signings, young stars ascending to greatness, and high expectations, basketball enthusiasts are posing the same question: When does the 2025-26 NBA season actually start?
The league already announced its entire schedule, and it is full of great storylines, from Opening Night games to the redesigned Emirates NBA Cup, an in-season competition that has landed pretty well among fans. Below are all the prime dates that will shape the season to come.
Opening Night: October 21, 2025
Mark your calendars because the 2025-26 NBA regular season gets underway on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, under the official NBA schedule.
The defending Oklahoma City Thunder will hoist their title banner at Paycom Center when they receive the Houston Rockets in a glamurous opener. Out on the West Coast, fans are suggested to get some free time to enjoy LeBron’s Lakers take on Stephen Curry’s Warriors, a rivalry that still can be the main event of the league’s best nights.
The season will be played until April 12, 2026, for 82 games for franchise before another postseason drama begins.
The Emirates NBA Cup returns
The NBA in-season tournament, now officially known as the Emirates NBA Cup, will be back for its third edition, providing players and fans with something else to celebrate months ahead of the playoffs.
The group game begins on October 31, 2025, with court themes, alternate jerseys, and increased stakes as Yahoo Sports reported. The final game is set for December 16, 2025, after two entertaining months of competition.
As in past years, all games of the Cup (with the exception of the championship) are included in each team’s season record. The tournament has become one of the league’s most compelling innovations, pairing the excitement of March Madness with the beauty of the NBA’s greatest players.
All-Star Weekend: February 13-15, 2026
The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend will take place in the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the Los Angeles Clippers’ new home.
The three-day event will take place on February 13 to 15, 2026, and will include fan favorites as always: the Rising Stars Challenge, Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, and the All-Star Game.
The event of the year this time is certain to feature a new crop of stars in the name of Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, and Paolo Banchero being stars on a city so renowned for basketball royalty.
Trade Deadline: February 5, 2026
While All-Star Weekend is all about games and entertainment, the NBA business side comes crashing down earlier in the month.
The Feb. 5, 2026, 3 p.m. ET trade deadline is officially scheduled. It is the very last chance for teams to redisign their rosters before making a push in the playoffs.
Play-In Tournament: April 14-17, 2026
Following the success of the Play-In format, the NBA will once again stage the Play-In Tournament from April 14-17, 2026.
The event keeps postseason hopes alive for teams positioned seventh through tenth in each conference. It represents four days of pure urgency: win and you are in, lose and you are out.
Ever since its establishment, Play-In has provided some of the most exciting games of the year, and the 2026 edition will not be an exception.
NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals
After all the dust settles on the Play-In, the 2026 NBA Playoffs officially begin on April 18, 2026.
Playoffs will continue well into June, with the NBA Finals beginning on June 4, 2026. In the event of a seven-game series, the title could potentially conclude as late as June 21, 2026.
Each round will be broadcast by ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV, further pursuing the league’s expansion of its global reach, streaming alliances, and worldwide fan interest.
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