NBA Sets Oct. 21 Start Date for 2025-26 Season
nba-sets-oct-21-start-date-for-2025-26-season
The NBA confirmed its 80th regular season will begin on Oct. 21, 2025, marking the official tip-off of the 2025-26 campaign. Specific matchups and venues for Opening Night have not yet been announced, but the league traditionally launches with at least one marquee doubleheader before the remaining teams play the following evening.
Key Dates for 2025-26
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 overseas (Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns) and first report date for players headed to Abu Dhabi, Australia and China preseason games
Sept. 24: Training camps open for overseas preseason teams
Sept. 29: First report date for all other veterans; training camps and media days for remaining 25 teams
Oct. 2 & 4: NBA Abu Dhabi Games – Knicks vs. 76ers at Etihad Arena
Oct. 3 & 5: Melbourne Series – Pelicans vs. NBL teams at Melbourne Park
Oct. 6: NBA Canada Series – Nuggets vs. Raptors at Rogers Arena, Vancouver
Oct. 10 & 12: NBA China Games – Nets vs. Suns at The Venetian Arena, Macao
Oct. 17: Preseason ends
Oct. 20: Rosters set for Opening Day (5 p.m. ET)
Oct. 21: Regular season opens
Oct. 31: Emirates NBA Cup 2025 group play begins on Prime
Nov. 1: NBA Mexico City Game – Pistons vs. Mavericks at Arena CDMX
Nov. 28: Emirates NBA Cup group play concludes
Dec. 9–10: Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals
Dec. 13: Emirates NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas
Dec. 16: Emirates NBA Cup championship in Las Vegas
Jan. 5: 10-day contracts may be signed
Jan. 10: All contracts become guaranteed
Jan. 15: NBA Berlin Games – Magic vs. Grizzlies at Uber Arena
Jan. 18: NBA London Games – Magic vs. Grizzlies at The O2
Feb. 5: Trade deadline
Feb. 13–15: 2026 NBA All-Star in Los Angeles
March 1: Playoff eligibility waiver deadline
April 12: Regular season ends
April 13: Playoff rosters set (3 p.m. ET)
The league is expected to release its full 2025-26 regular-season schedule in the coming weeks.
Imagem: Sam Amico via hoopswire.com
Source: Hoops Wire
