The NBA has released all of its key dates for the 2025-26 season, and now we know when the real thing begins. That would be October 21 in a selected city near you.
Or maybe it’s near you. We don’t yet know who’s playing on that date, or where the games will be held. But at least we know that there will be at least one game, probably two, when the league tips off its 80th season.
That’s usually how it works, by the way. The NBA generally has anywhere from four to six teams playing for its soft opener, and then everyone else opens the next night.
While the league has yet to announce its schedule — that’s likely coming in a few weeks — we can safely assume teams in Los Angeles or New York will be involved on October 21.
LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Lakers remain the league’s media darlings. Stephen Curry and the Warriors aren’t far behind. The reigning champion Thunder and reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the best of the bunch — so perhaps they’ll get an opening-night bid.
For now, it’s all just speculation. Except for the first day when games will be played. We know that now.
Below is the full list of key dates, announced by the league:
- Aug. 27-Sept. 14: FIBA Eurobasket
- Sept. 5-6: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Enshrinement Weekend
- 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 (no earlier than 11 a.m. local time)
- 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 (no earlier than 11 a.m. local time)
- Sept. 29: NBA Training Camps open and Media days for remaining 25 teams
- Oct. 2 & 4: 2025 Preseason: NBA Abu Dhabi Games | Knicks vs. 76ers | Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi
- Oct. 3 & 5: 2025 Preseason: Melbourne Series | Pelicans vs. NBL teams | Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
- Oct. 6: 2025 Preseason: 2025 NBA Canada Series | Nuggets vs. Raptors | Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C.
- Oct. 10 & 12: 2025 Preseason: NBA China Games | Nets vs. Suns | The Venetian Arena in Macao
- Oct. 17: NBA Preseason ends
- Oct. 20: Rosters set for NBA Opening Day (5 p.m. ET)
- Oct. 21: Start of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season – Opening Night
- Oct. 31: Emirates NBA Cup 2025– Group Play tips off on Prime
- Nov. 1: NBA Mexico City Game 2025 – Detroit Pistons vs. Dallas Mavericks at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico
- Nov. 28: Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Group Play concludes
- Dec. 9-10: Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Knockout Rounds (Quarterfinals) on Prime
- Dec. 13: Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Semifinals (Las Vegas, NV) on Prime
- Dec. 16: Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Championship (Las Vegas, NV) on Prime
- 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 Berlin Games 2026 – Magic vs. Grizzlies (Berlin, Uber Arena)
- Jan. 18: NBA London Games 2026 – Magic vs. Grizzlies (London, The O2)
- Feb. 5: NBA Trade Deadline (Hoops Wire story)
- Feb. 13-15: 2026 NBA All-Star in Los Angeles, CA
- March 1: Playoff eligibility waiver deadline
- April 12: Regular season ends
- April 13: Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET)