Get ready to watch the NBA Finals, basketball fans, because the series will be a doozy this year.
The New York Knicks, who haven’t made the Finals since 1999, will face off against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs have a roster full of very young talent, and only Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk have reached the Finals.
This guide covers every possible way to watch the NBA Finals on TV. Keep reading to learn on which channel the series will air, what TV or streaming plans you’ll need, and how to watch the Finals for free.
What channel shows the NBA Finals?
ABC will broadcast every game of the 2026 NBA Finals, as it has for several years. Exclusive Spanish-language coverage airing on ESPN Deportes.
ESPN will air an alternative broadcast of Game 3, hosted by Pat McAfee and featuring former NBA players such as Kendrick Perkins and Quentin Richardson, along with other personalities regularly on McAfee’s show.
Fans who want one place to access all the broadcast options and features the NBA Finals have to offer can do so with ESPN Unlimited, which carries every ESPN-owned channel and has exclusive camera angles and audio broadcasts specific to the Finals.
Want radio coverage? You can listen to the NBA Finals for free on ESPN Radio, which is available to stream in the ESPN App.
2026 NBA Finals TV schedule
The 2026 NBA Finals begin Wednesday, June 3. If all seven games are necessary, the last game of the best-of-seven series will take place on Friday, June 19. We outline it all in the TV schedule below.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | English channels | Spanish channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1: New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs | Wednesday, June 3 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 2: New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs | Friday, June 5 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 3: San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks | Monday, June 8 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 4: San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks | Wednesday, June 10 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 5: New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs* | Saturday, June 13 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 6: San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks* | Tuesday, June 16 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 7: New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs* | Friday, June 19 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
Data effective as of post date.
*If necessary
FWIW: After the NBA Finals, all eyes will shift to the 2026 NBA Draft—starting in Brooklyn on June 23. You can learn more about the draft by visiting our How To Watch the NBA Draft guide.
Best TV plans for watching the NBA Finals
You don’t need a comprehensive TV plan to watch the NBA Finals. In fact, a digital antenna can pick up the entire championship series as long as you live near an ABC affiliate station.
Most antennas cost between $20 and $60, and the one-time purchase comes with more than just the NBA Finals. ABC carries many other live sports throughout the year, including primetime NBA and WNBA matchups. Depending on your location, you may also get channels like CBS, FOX, and NBC for more major league sports.
Before buying an antenna, you can verify that ABC is accessible in your area by entering your zip code into the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool.
If you don’t live within range of an ABC station, we recommend YouTube TV for watching the NBA Finals. The live TV streaming service costs $82.99 a month and comes with every national NBA channel. That way, if you enjoy your experience, you can stick around for NBA Summer League games.
For those who aren’t interested in a full-blown TV plan, you can subscribe to ESPN Unlimited. At $29.99 per month, the service offers every ESPN-owned channel and simulcasts ABC broadcasts.
Which TV providers carry the NBA Finals?
Most cable, satellite, and live TV streaming providers carry the NBA Finals because ABC and ESPN Deportes are widely available channels. But you may need a higher-tier plan or Spanish-language add-on to get ESPN Deportes.
Scroll through our provider table below to see which providers offer NBA Finals channels.
| Provider | Type | Price | ABC | ESPN Deportes | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
YouTube TV Best NBA Coverage |
Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
|
ESPN Unlimited Cheapest Plans |
Streaming | $29.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for ESPN+ ESPN Unlimited |
|
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.
How can I watch the NBA Finals for free?
To watch the NBA Finals for free, you can sign up for a free live TV streaming trial or use an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to access your local ABC station. We prefer using an antenna because most free trials won’t last all seven games of the championship series.
Our favorite antenna is the Mohu Leaf 50. Its 60-mile range and added amplifier are perfect for those who live in urban and suburban areas. But our Best OTA Antennas guide can point you in the right direction if you need an antenna with more range.
As mentioned earlier, you can check if ABC is available in your area using the FCC’s Reception Map Tool. You’ll also discover other OTA channels offered in your region.
How to watch the NBA Finals internationally
Finding a definitive guide to watch the NBA Finals internationally can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. NBA League Pass is available in many countries globally, often without the blackout restrictions seen in the U.S. and Canada. But several regions also boast dedicated local broadcasters for these marquee matchups.
Below is a list of countries and channels that typically air the NBA Finals.
NBA Finals broadcasters by country
- Argentina (ESPN, Disney+)
- Australia (Disney+, Kayo Sports)
- Brazil (Amazon Prime Video, TV Band)
- Canada (TSN, Sportsnet)
- France (Amazon Prime Video, beIN SPORTS)
- Germany (Amazon Prime Video, Sky Sports)
- Greece (Amazon Prime Video, Cosmote Sports)
- Ireland (Amazon Prime Video)
- Italy (Amazon Prime Video, Sky Sport NBA)
- Philippines (Amazon Prime Video, NBA TV Philippines, One Sports)
- Spain (DAZN)
- United Kingdom (Amazon Prime Video)
- United States (ABC, ESPN Deportes)
How to watch the NBA Finals FAQ
Where can I stream the NBA Finals?
You can stream the NBA Finals on any live TV streaming service with ABC. We like YouTube TV for its expansive NBA coverage, but ESPN Unlimited is the cheapest option.
Can you watch the NBA Finals without cable?
Yes, you can watch the NBA Finals on ABC without a cable TV subscription. Most live TV streaming services offer ABC; otherwise, you can try accessing the channel with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. You can also subscribe to ESPN Unlimited.
Can you watch the NBA Finals on Amazon Prime?
No, the NBA Finals don’t stream live on Amazon Prime Video. While you can watch NBA games through Prime Video with NBA League Pass, the add-on doesn’t include live access to nationally televised games like the NBA Finals.
Can you watch the NBA Finals on ESPN+?
No, NBA Finals games don’t stream on ESPN+. Most of the service’s championship series coverage remains limited to studio programs and alt broadcasts.
Who is playing in the NBA Finals?
The 2026 NBA Finals are between the New York Knicks and the winner of the seven-game series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
Why you should trust us
To create this NBA Finals viewing guide, CableTV.com sports editor Taylor Kujawa and junior staff writer Alex Vejar reviewed the entire NBA Finals broadcast schedule, cross-referencing every tip-off time and channel listing. This process helped them pinpoint the best TV providers for watching basketball’s ultimate championship, leveraging CableTV.com’s existing coverage. They then determined my provider recommendations based on research into channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
To learn more about CableTV.com’s methods, check out our How We Rank page.
Taylor Kujawa is a sports and entertainment fanatic who loves using his industry expertise to help keep you informed about your favorite leagues. With a bachelor’s degree in video production and over eight years of writing experience, Taylor brings a wealth of digital media knowledge to CableTV.com. He’s also the co-founder and media producer at Her Football Hub, a UK-based web publication dedicated to women’s soccer football. Outside of work, you can usually find Taylor exploring nature or binge-watching the latest TV craze.
Related Posts
