The 2024 NBA Draft will occur in New York on Wednesday, June 26, and Thursday, June 27. Both nights will air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+, while ABC will also broadcast the first round.
Several key prospects lit up the college basketball courts this past season. Now, it’s time to see how their professional careers will take off and which NBA teams will foster their talent.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the draft’s new two-night format and the best TV providers for tuning in.
What channel shows the NBA Draft?
2024 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 only requires a smart device and an internet connection, and it comes with both ESPN and ABC.
YouTube TV also has other essential NBA channels like TNT and NBA TV, which are 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.
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 Read YouTube TV review |
|
Sling TV Cheapest ESPN TV plans |
Streaming | $45.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔* |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
|
Fubo Best free trial |
Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| Cox | Cable | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | Streaming | $84.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | Satellite | $91.99–$121.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $30.00–$160.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $28.00/mo. | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $45.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
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. Without ABC, Sling TV subscribers can watch ESPN on ABC broadcasts via ESPN3.
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 seven-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
Is the NBA Draft Combine televised?
Yes, ESPN2 and NBA TV televise live segments from the NBA Draft Combine. While the 2024 edition ran from May 12 to May 16, ESPN2’s core coverage aired on Tuesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 15—including live scrimmages, interviews, and NBA Draft analysis.
Is the NBA Draft Lottery on TV?
Yes, ABC aired the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday, May 12. The 14 teams that missed out on the NBA Playoffs participated in this year’s Draft Lottery.
Can you watch the NBA Draft without cable?
Yes, you can watch the NBA Draft without a cable or satellite TV subscription through ESPN+. Otherwise, most live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV carry ESPN, and you can watch the draft’s first round on ABC using a digital antenna.
Where is the NBA Draft?
The 2024 NBA Draft will take place at two locations. Barclays Center in Brooklyn will host Round 1 on June 26, while ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in Manhattan will hold Round 2 on June 27.
Why you should trust us
Our basketball experts 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, we based our recommendations on provider availability and additional league coverage.
To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
