The Charlotte Hornets did something unexpected and traded LaMelo Ball. As a result, watching the Hornets figure it out in 2026-2027 will never be boring.
In the Ball trade, the Hornets picked up Naz Reid, a former Sixth Man of the Year. In a separate deal, Charlotte got Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard from the Hawks and sent out Dorian Finney-Smith. But the team is expected to waive Nembhard. Needless to say, the team will look very different this season.
Did Charlotte do enough in the offseason to make a real push in the Eastern Conference? Learn how to watch the Hornets all season long with our watch guide, which includes the full broadcast schedule, TV plan recommendations, and more.
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What channels have Charlotte Hornets games
You can follow the Charlotte Hornets all season long across a mix of local networks, national broadcasters, and streaming platforms.
- Locally: In-market fans can catch most Hornets games on WSOC-TV (ABC 9) and WAXN-TV (64). The channels are available through most cable and satellite providers and live TV streaming services.
- Nationally: You’ll need ESPN, NBC, NBC Sports Network, and NBA TV in your TV lineup to watch national NBA broadcasts. But don’t expect to see the Hornets on those channels much.
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video will stream Thursday and Friday night games, including NBA Cup contests and the Play-In Tournament. Meanwhile, Peacock Premium has Monday night games and simulcasts of NBC’s national broadcasts. In-market fans can also stream games on DAZN.
For the fans outside the Carolinas market, NBA League Pass is the only way to watch Hornets games not airing nationally. Standard blackout rules still apply, such as when the Hornets play your in-market team.
Want radio coverage? The Charlotte Hornets broadcast every game live on 92.7 FM WFNZ. Fans across North Carolina can also tune in through the Hornets Radio Network, which includes several affiliate stations statewide.
2026-2027 Charlotte Hornets TV schedule
The Hornets schedule will be full of interesting matchups merely because of all the trades they made. Aside from games featuring the game’s biggest stars, make sure to earmark matchups against the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks.
Here’s the full Hornets TV schedule so you don’t miss any of their games.
NBA - Charlotte Hornets Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | |||
Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | WAXN-TV (64) | |
Sunday, Oct. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Oct. 16 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
October | |||
Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Oct. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 6:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Oct. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Oct. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Oct. 31 | 6:00 p.m. | ||
November | |||
Monday, Nov. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Nov. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Nov. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
At Phoenix Suns | Thursday, Nov. 12 | 9:00 p.m. | TBD |
At LA Clippers | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 4:30 p.m. | TBD |
Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Nov. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Nov. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Nov. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 28 | 6:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Nov. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
December | |||
Wednesday, Dec. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Dec. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Dec. 14 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Dec. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Dec. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 6:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Dec. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Dec. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Dec. 26 | 3:30 p.m. | TBD | |
At Miami Heat | Sunday, Dec. 27 | 6:00 p.m. | TBD |
Tuesday, Dec. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Dec. 31 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
January | |||
Saturday, Jan. 2 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, Jan. 3 | 5:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Jan. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Jan. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Jan. 9 | 10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, Jan. 10 | 9:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
At Utah Jazz | Thursday, Jan. 14 | 9:00 p.m. | TBD |
Saturday, Jan. 16 | 9:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Jan. 19 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Jan. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Jan. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Jan. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Jan. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Jan. 29 | 9:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Jan. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
February | |||
At Miami Heat | Tuesday, Feb. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD |
Thursday, Feb. 4 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Friday, Feb. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, Feb. 7 | 6:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Feb. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Feb. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Feb. 13 | 3:00 p.m. | ||
Monday, Feb. 15 | Noon | ||
Wednesday, Feb. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Feb. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Feb. 26 | 8:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, Feb. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
March | |||
Wednesday, March 3 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, March 6 | 5:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, March 8 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, March 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, March 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, March 13 | 6:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, March 16 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, March 18 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, March 20 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, March 22 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, March 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, March 26 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, March 28 | 6:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, March 30 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
April | |||
Thursday, April 1 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, April 2 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, April 4 | 3:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, April 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, April 7 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, April 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, April 11 | 6:00 p.m. | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching the Charlotte Hornets
Following the Charlotte Hornets throughout the season means having the right mix of local and national TV access. The most reliable all-in-one choice is YouTube TV, which includes the local and national channels you’ll need. It’s also one of the few services that carries NBCSN.
If you’re an out-of-market fan, you’ll need to add an NBA League Pass subscription to your viewing roster. To be a true completist, don’t forget you’ll also need a separate subscription to Amazon Prime Video. If you have a TV plan other than YouTube TV, you’ll need Peacock Premium for its exclusive games.
Standalone in-market TV package for Hornets games
Cord-cutters in the Charlotte area have a great standalone option for watching the Hornets. You can subscribe to DAZN starting at $19.99 per month or $119.99 per year. A higher tier of the service gets you multiview and more streams.
The subscription lets fans watch games live and on demand, and also includes highlights, original team content, and more. Subscribers also get access to all the other live sports the service streams throughout the year.
How to watch the Charlotte Hornets for free
The best way to watch most Charlotte Hornets games for free is with the one-time purchase of a digital antenna. Fans can get WSOC-TV (ABC 9), WAXN-TV (64), and national ABC and NBC broadcasts with this method.
Additionally, several streaming platforms, including DAZN, DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV, typically offer free trials that last three days or more. That’s a perfect window if you want to catch a big Hornets matchup without committing long-term.
How to watch the Charlotte Hornets FAQ
Do I need cable to watch in-market Hornets games?
No, you don't need a cable subscription. In-market Hornets fans can stream most games on DAZN. You can also stream local and national games with services like DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV. Local fans in North or South Carolina can also use a digital antenna to access their local channels. And, select games will stream on Amazon Prime Video.
What’s the best streaming service for watching Hornets games?
YouTube TV is the most complete choice for Hornets fans. It carries local broadcast channels and includes national channels like ABC, NBC, and ESPN. Out-of-market fans will need NBA League Pass.
Where do the Charlotte Hornets play home games?
The Charlotte Hornets compete in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at the Spectrum Center.
Who’s the current head coach of the Charlotte Hornets?
The Charlotte Hornets are led by head coach Charles Lee, who was hired in May 2024 after serving as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Contributing Writer, Creshonda Smith, put in the legwork to craft this guide specifically for Charlotte Hornets fans. She dug through TV listings, streaming service lineups, and blackout rules to make sure you know exactly where to find every game.
At CableTV.com, our mission is simple: give Hornets fans the most accurate, up-to-date information so they can focus on watching LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and the rest of the squad chase wins. To learn more about the methods we use to create our guides, check out our How We Rank page.
