The 2025-26 NBA season is almost here. Here are some of the key dates as the season gets closer.
Sept. 23 – Media days for teams traveling outside of North America for 2025 Preseason (Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns.
Sept. 23 – First allowable date for players participating in preseason games in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Australia, and China to report to their teams.
Sept. 24 – Training camps open for all teams participating in preseason games outside North America (Nets, Knicks, 76ers, Pelicans, Suns).
Sept. 29 – First allowable date for all other veteran players to report to their teams.
Sept. 29 – NBA Training Camps open and media days for the remaining 25 teams.
Oct. 2 & 4 – NBA Preseason Begins – NBA Abu Dhabi Games | Knicks vs 76ers
Oct. 3 & 5 – NBA Preseason Melbourne Series | Pelicans vs NBL Teams
Oct. 6 – 2025 NBA Canada Series | Nuggets vs Raptors
Oct. 10 & 12 – 2025 NBA China Games | Nets vs Suns
Oct. 17 – NBA Preseason Ends
Oct. 20 – Rosters set for NBA Opening Day
Oct. 21 – NBA Regular Season begins! Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder – Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers | all on NBC and Peacock
Oct. 31 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 | Group Play tips off on Prime
Nov. 1 – NBA Mexico City Game 2025 | Detroit Pistons vs Dallas Mavericks
Nov. 28 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Group Play concludes
Dec. 9-10 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Knockout Rounds on Prime
Dec. 13 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Semifinals on Prime
Dec. 16 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Championship
Dec. 25 – Christmas Day Games – All on ABC and ESPN
Jan. 5 – 10-day contracts may now be signed
Jan. 10 – All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season
Jan. 15 – NBA Berling Games 2026 | Orlando Magic vs Memphis Grizzlies
Jan. 18 – NBA London Games 2026 | Orlando Magic vs Memphis Grizzlies
Jan. 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day | All games on NBC and Peacock
Feb. 5 – NBA Trade Deadline | 3:00 PM ET
Feb. 13-15 – 2026 NBA All-Star in Los Angeles, CA
Feb. 13 – 2026 NBA HBCU Classic | Hampton University vs North Carolina A&T at Kia Forum, Inglewood
March 1 – Playoff eligibility waiver deadline
April 12 – Regular season ends
April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026