The Chicago Bulls are forging a new identity this season. To fill the void left by DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, the front office pulled off a blockbuster haul, bringing in Josh Giddey, Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, and Zach Collins. They also drafted rising star Noa Essengue and signed Isaac Okoro at the deadline.
With Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, and Nikola Vučević anchoring the rotation and Billy Donovan steering the ship, Chicago has got to be setting itself up for greatness—right? That uncertainty is what makes them so compelling this year. They could be a scrappy playoff team or a lottery-bound mess, and I’m excited to find out which.
To help you watch Chicago Bulls basketball all season, I’ve created this comprehensive viewing guide. I’ll walk you through the must-have channels and TV providers, so you don’t miss a moment of Chicago’s fight out of the East’s shadow.
Want more TV sports coverage?
Subscribe to CableTV.com’s email newsletter for the latest event-viewing guides, entertaining takes, and money-saving promotions.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions.
What channels have Chicago Bulls games?
Most Chicago Bulls games air locally on Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), except for select nationally televised matchups. Those three games will appear on Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, and Peacock. But you’ll also want ABC, NBA TV, and NBC in your channel lineup for the best league coverage.
Out-of-market Bulls fans will need an NBA League Pass subscription to watch those CHSN games. Fortunately, the service is widely available across cable, satellite, and streaming platforms.
Want radio coverage? The official radio home of Chicago Bulls basketball is 670 The Score, with WRTO 1200 AM carrying Spanish-language broadcasts. You can also catch extended coverage across the Midwest on the Bulls Radio Network or stream games without blackouts via NBA League Pass Audio.
2025–2026 Chicago Bulls TV schedule
The Chicago Bulls’ regular season tips off with a home opener against the Detroit Pistons at the United Center. Their NBA Cup campaign begins on October 31 with a Halloween matchup against the New York Knicks. That should be an exciting game where they try to establish themselves this year.
Notable nationally televised games include a battle in Orlando on December 1 (Peacock), a home showdown with Brooklyn on January 16 (ESPN), and a February 5 visit to Toronto (Amazon Prime Video). The season features a balanced mix of marquee home games, extended road trips—including a five-game West Coast swing in March—and competitive NBA Cup group-stage battles. Check out the full schedule below for start times and channel listings.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Preseason |
|||
| At Cleveland Cavaliers | Tuesday, Oct. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | Peacock |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Sunday, Oct. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Denver Nuggets | Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Thursday, Oct. 16 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
October |
|||
| Detroit Pistons | Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Orlando Magic | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Atlanta Hawks | Monday, Oct. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Sacramento Kings | Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Knicks | Friday, Oct. 31 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
November |
|||
| At New York Knicks | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Milwaukee Bucks | Friday, Nov. 7 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Cleveland Cavaliers | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| San Antonio Spurs | Monday, Nov. 10 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Detroit Pistons | Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Utah Jazz | Sunday, Nov. 16 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Denver Nuggets | Monday, Nov. 17 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Portland Trail Blazers | Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 10:00 p.m. | KUNP 16 |
| Miami Heat | Friday, Nov. 21 | 8:00 p.m. | FDSSUN |
| Washington Wizards | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New Orleans Pelicans | Monday, Nov. 24 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Charlotte Hornets | Friday, Nov. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Indiana Pacers | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
|
December |
|||
| At Orlando Magic | Monday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Peacock |
| Brooklyn Nets | Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Indiana Pacers | Friday, Dec. 5 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Golden State Warriors | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Cleveland Cavaliers | Friday, Dec. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Atlanta Hawks | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 3:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Atlanta Hawks | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Friday, Dec. 26 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Monday, Dec. 29 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
January |
|||
| Orlando Magic | Friday, Jan. 2 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Charlotte Hornets | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Boston Celtics | Monday, Jan. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Detroit Pistons | Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Miami Heat | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 8:00 p.m. | FDSSUN |
| Dallas Mavericks | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Houston Rockets | Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Utah Jazz | Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Brooklyn Nets | Friday, Jan. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Brooklyn Nets | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| LA Clippers | Tuesday, Jan. 20 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Minnesota Timberwolves | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Boston Celtics | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Monday, Jan. 26 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Indiana Pacers | Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Miami Heat | Friday, Jan. 30 | 8:00 p.m. | FDSSUN |
|
February |
|||
| At Miami Heat | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 6:00 p.m. | FDSSUN |
| At Milwaukee Bucks | Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Toronto Raptors | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video |
| Denver Nuggets | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Brooklyn Nets | Monday, Feb. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Boston Celtics | Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Toronto Raptors | Thursday, Feb. 19 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Detroit Pistons | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Knicks | Sunday, Feb. 22 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Charlotte Hornets | Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 8:00 p.m. | KUNP 16 |
|
March |
|||
| Milwaukee Bucks | Sunday, March 1 | 3:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Tuesday, March 3 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Phoenix Suns | Thursday, March 5 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Sacramento Kings | Sunday, March 8 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Golden State Warriors | Tuesday, March 10 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Los Angeles Lakers | Thursday, March 12 | 10:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At LA Clippers | Friday, March 13 | 10:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Monday, March 16 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Toronto Raptors | Wednesday, March 18 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Thursday, March 19 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Houston Rockets | Monday, March 23 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Philadelphia 76ers | Wednesday, March 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Oklahoma City Thunder | Friday, March 27 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Memphis Grizzlies | Saturday, March 28 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At San Antonio Spurs | Monday, March 30 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
April |
|||
| Indiana Pacers | Wednesday, April 1 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Knicks | Friday, April 3 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Phoenix Suns | Sunday, April 5 | 3:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Washington Wizards | Tuesday, April 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Washington Wizards | Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Orlando Magic | Friday, April 10 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Dallas Mavericks | Sunday, April 12 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the Chicago Bulls
Following the Bulls this season takes more than just flipping the TV to one channel, especially with the NBA’s revamped media deal in full swing. You’ll need access to Chicago Sports Network for local games, plus major national channels like ESPN, ABC, NBA TV, and NBC for primetime NBA coverage.
For fans living in the Bulls’ TV market, I recommend Stream with DIRECTV as the best all-in-one package. It’s one of the few streaming services that carries Chicago Sports Network, so you won’t miss any of the local broadcasts. On top of that, it has all the key national channels for those marquee matchups. I’m a huge fan of DIRECTV’s traditional channel guide and innovative app, featuring unlimited DVR storage and multiview mix channels.
If you’re an out-of-market fan, your strategy is different. You’ll need NBA League Pass to watch the CHSN broadcasts, which you can purchase separately or through providers like DIRECTV. But keep in mind, you’ll still need individual Amazon Prime Video and Peacock Premium subscriptions for their exclusive games.
Standalone in-market TV package for Bulls games
If you don’t want a full live TV package, you can subscribe directly to Chicago Sports Network. The standalone service costs $19.99 per month for just the Bulls, or $29.99 per month for full network access, which includes in-market Blackhawks and White Sox games.
CHSN only carries the regional Bulls broadcasts, so you’ll need to pair it with a broader service for more complete NBA coverage.
The CHSN app is available on most major streaming devices, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku. But you must be within the team’s broadcast territory to enjoy. This area generally covers Illinois and parts of neighboring states, though some broadcast restrictions limit live games to a 150-mile radius of Chicago.
How to watch the Chicago Bulls for free
The most reliable way to watch the Bulls for free is with a basic digital antenna. Thanks to the NBA’s new broadcast deal, several national games will air on ABC and NBC, which you can pick up over the air at no cost. You’ll just want to check the FCC’s Reception Map Tool to make sure you’re within range of ABC and NBC affiliate stations.
Another great strategy is to use free live TV streaming trials. If a must-watch Bulls game is on a cable channel like ESPN, you can often sign up for a short trial with a service like DIRECTV or YouTube TV to catch the action without spending your hard-earned cash. Just remember to cancel before the trial period ends.
How to watch the Chicago Bulls FAQ
Can I watch Bulls games without a full-season TV plan?
Yes, in-market Bulls fans can get a monthly Chicago Sports Network streaming subscription. It’s perfect if you want flexibility or just want to tune in during key stretches of the season. Similarly, NBA League Pass offers a single-team monthly subscription for out-of-market fans to access the same regionally televised games.
What’s the best way to follow the Bulls while traveling?
Going out of town doesn’t mean you have to miss a game, and NBA League Pass is your best option for catching the Bulls on the go. Just be aware that you won’t be able to watch any nationally televised games on NBA League Pass. Also, the stream will be blacked out if you’re traveling inside the team’s home TV market.
Can I watch Bulls games with Spanish-language commentary?
Some nationally televised Bulls games offer Spanish-language broadcasts or alternate commentary feeds, especially on ESPN and NBA TV. While Chicago Sports Network primarily airs in English, it’s worth checking your TV’s SAP settings for multilingual options or alternate audio experiences.
How can I watch Bulls preseason games?
Chicago Bulls preseason games typically air on Chicago Sports Network for in-market fans and NBA League Pass for out-of-market viewers.
Who's the best player on the Chicago Bulls?
Coby White is currently the Chicago Bulls’ top performer. After a breakout 2024–2025 season, he averaged over 20 points per game with sharp shooting splits and improved playmaking. With DeRozan and LaVine gone, White has stepped into a leadership role, becoming the Bulls’ go-to scorer and most consistent offensive threat.
Why you should trust us
This guide was created by CableTV.com contributor Creshonda Smith, who researched every way to watch the Chicago Bulls during the 2025–2026 NBA season. She dove deep into the team’s local TV home, Chicago Sports Network, analyzed national broadcast schedules, and sorted through all the complex streaming and blackout rules.
Her final recommendations are the result of this detailed work, designed to help every fan—from the West Loop to the West Coast—find the best and most reliable way to tune in. Our editorial team is dedicated to this level of hands-on analysis, which you can learn more about by visiting our How We Rank page.
