The 2026 NBA Draft, which is widely considered one of the deepest in years, will occur in Brooklyn on Wednesday, June 23, and Thursday, June 24. Both nights will air on ESPN, while ABC will also broadcast the first round.
The top projected picks are AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. It’s anyone’s guess where those players will land, which is what makes this year’s draft so exciting.
There will be surprises. There will be trades. Franchises will be forever changed by who they pick on draft night. And you can bear witness to it all with our watch guide for the 2026 NBA Draft.
What channel shows the NBA Draft?
The 2026 NBA Draft will air live on ESPN and ABC on June 23 and 24. ESPN will carry both draft rounds, while a unique broadcast of Round 1 will air on ABC.
If you prefer Spanish-language commentary, ESPN Deportes will show the NBA Draft en Español.
2026 NBA Draft TV schedule
The NBA Draft lights up New York City at the end of June, following the NBA Draft Combine and NBA Draft Lottery, which took over Chicago in mid-May. As highlighted in the TV schedule below, all draft-related events air live across ABC and ESPN platforms.
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the NBA Draft
When it comes to watching the entire NBA Draft, most TV providers will have you covered. After all, ESPN is a widely available channel.
We recommend YouTube TV as the best provider for watching the NBA Draft. The live TV streaming service requires only a smart device and an internet connection and includes ESPN and ABC.
YouTube TV also has other essential NBA channels like NBC, which is vital for watching the NBA Playoffs leading up to the draft. It’s also a solid viewing option for watching WNBA and NBA Summer League games.
But if you’re not in the market for a full-blown TV plan, we suggest ESPN Unlimited as a standalone streaming service. For $29.99 per month, you get every ESPN-owned channel in one app, as well asl the ability to stream ABC broadcasts.
Which TV providers offer NBA Draft channels?
If YouTube TV doesn’t meet your budget, there are plenty of other TV providers to explore in the table below. You could also try watching the NBA Draft for free with one of the cost-saving options listed further down.
| Provider | Type | Price | ESPN | ABC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
YouTube TV Best NBA coverage |
Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
|
ESPN Unlimited Cheapest ESPN TV plans |
Streaming | $29.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plan Read ESPN Unlimited review |
|
Fubo Best free trial |
Streaming | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Cox | Cable | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite/Streaming | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $33.00/mo. | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔* |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available only in select markets with Sling Blue.
How to watch the NBA Draft for free
You can watch the first round of the NBA Draft for free through your local ABC network. Of course, you’ll need to make a one-time purchase of a digital antenna to get local channels. But then you’ll reap the benefits of over-the-air TV, which hosts hundreds of major league sporting events annually.
We recommend checking out the Mohu Leaf 50 —which has a 60-mile range and 4K capabilities. You can also verify which local channels you can access by entering your zip code on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool.
If you want to watch both rounds of the NBA Draft for free, you’re out of luck because you’ll need a TV provider to watch ESPN. But you could always sign up for a free live TV streaming trial if you’re desperate to catch the entire NBA Draft without paying a single penny. Fubo offers ESPN in its solid five-day free trial.
What is the NBA Draft?
The NBA Draft is an off-season recruitment event usually held annually after the most recent NBA season’s conclusion.
In its current form, the NBA Draft consists of two rounds over two nights. Each round features 30 player picks assigned to NBA teams based on previous season rankings and NBA Draft Lottery results—the league elaborates on the lottery with greater detail in their NBA Draft Lottery Explainer.
Did you know? The draft actually predates the NBA as we know it today, with the first draft taking place in 1947. It featured the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) before the two leagues merged to become the NBA.
By default, all 30 NBA franchises would have one draft pick per round. But teams can also trade their picks with other teams throughout the year, even on draft day.
Like in the NFL, the NBA also hosts a scouting combine where teams can scout potential draftees in the buildup to the draft. Live segments from the NBA Draft Combine—featuring player interviews, drills, and scrimmages—usually air on NBA TV and ESPN channels.
How to watch the NBA Draft FAQ
Who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft?
AJ Dybantsa from BYU is widely considered to go No. 1. That pick belongs to the Washington Wizards, who won the lottery.
How can I watch the NBA Draft?
Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN on Wednesday, June 23, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Round 2 is Thursday, June 24, at 8:00 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Can you watch the NBA Draft without cable?
Yes, you can watch the NBA Draft without a cable or satellite TV subscription using a digital antenna to watch Round 1 on ABC. Otherwise, most live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV carry ESPN. You can also subscribe to ESPN Unlimited.
Can I watch the NBA Draft on Hulu?
The only way you can watch the NBA Draft on Hulu is if you have Hulu + Live TV. You'll be able to get ESPN and ABC as part of its base channel lineup.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com sports editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched the best ways to watch the NBA Draft by comparing the prices and channel lineups of the most popular TV services. Because the NBA Draft is completely televised on one channel and partially on another, he based our recommendations on provider availability and additional league coverage.
To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
