Schedule Release Overview

The NBA unveiled its 2025-26 regular-season schedule on August 14, 2025, marking a notable shift in the league’s national broadcasting landscape as NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video joined ESPN among national partners. The schedule features a doubleheader opener on October 21 and an expanded slate of marquee matchups across new platforms.

Key Dates & National TV Windows

– Season opener (Oct. 21): Rockets vs. Thunder and Warriors vs. Lakers on NBC, part of the league’s new broadcast rotation.
– Thanksgiving and holiday showcases feature high-profile matchups, while the league’s midseason NBA Cup returns as a focal point for December competition.

Notable Storylines

Rookie Cooper Flagg’s debut, Victor Wembanyama’s continued ascendancy, and the movement of superstar matchups across NBC, Peacock and Prime Video will shape viewership patterns. Teams received 80 of 82 dates, with two slots reserved pending NBA Cup outcomes.

What Fans Should Know

Expect more national games spread across streaming platforms and traditional broadcast networks, increasing access but changing how fans tune in. The new media partners signal a strategic pivot for the NBA’s digital and broadcast future.