I get excited for the NBA season every October. It’s almost as exciting as Halloween for me — almost. And the best way to prepare for the marathon 82-game season is to keep a close eye on the preseason.
The NBA preseason gives fans the first glimpses of new players, new coaches, or young players in new roles looking to make a leap. Even though the games don’t count, they at times could provide clues into whether a team will have a good or awful season.
If you’re not attending a preseason game in person, this guide is for you. I’ll give you the best ways to watch games on TV or streaming, and provide you with a full schedule of games.
What channels are NBA preseason games on?
You can watch nationally televised NBA preseason games on NBA TV, ESPN, ESPN2, and Peacock Premium. Due to NBA’s new media deal, TNT will no longer be a hub for NBA games.
Keep in mind, though, that most preseason matchups air locally on each team’s regional sports network (RSN) or over-the-air affiliate.
Pro tip: NBA preseason games that air locally also stream on NBA League Pass for out-of-market fans.
2026 NBA preseason schedule
This season’s NBA preseason calendar spans the first few weeks of October. Teams will play various home and away games, with several happening in non-NBA markets. Additional preseason games will occur internationally or feature teams from foreign leagues. It all leads to the start of the regular season on October 20.
Hit the drop-down menus below for the full 2026 NBA preseason TV schedule — including game times and channel listings. Most games appearing on NBA League Pass also air on each participating team’s in-market NBA channel.
NBA - Preseason Schedule
| Game | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
Saturday﹐ Oct. 3 | ||
7:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday﹐ Oct. 4 | ||
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday﹐ Oct. 5 | ||
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday﹐ Oct. 6 | ||
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
9:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday﹐ Oct. 7 | ||
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday﹐ Oct. 8 | ||
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:30 p.m. | ||
Friday﹐ Oct. 9 | ||
8:00 a.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday﹐ Oct. 10 | ||
6:30 p.m. | TBD | |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:30 p.m. | TBD | |
10:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday﹐ Oct. 11 | ||
6:00 a.m. | TBD | |
6:30 p.m. | ||
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
9:00 p.m. | ||
Monday﹐ Oct. 12 | ||
London Lions at Portland Trail Blazers | 4:00 p.m. | TBD |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
9:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday﹐ Oct. 13 | ||
7:00 p.m. | ||
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday﹐ Oct. 14 | ||
7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday﹐ Oct. 15 | ||
7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
8:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday﹐ Oct. 16 | ||
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
10:30 p.m. |
Best TV plans for watching the NBA preseason
DIRECTV is my favorite way to watch the NBA preseason. It carries every national NBA channel and most RSNs. With plans starting at $89.99 a month, DIRECTV is kinda pricey for simply watching preseason games. But it’ll set you up nicely for the NBA regular season.
Ultimately, the best TV plan for watching any sports league depends on your ride-or-die teams. Using the schedule above for reference, here are my three viewing recommendations based on game type.
- Local games: DIRECTV and Fubo offer the most RSN coverage of any streaming service. Though, some local games stream free online and air on antenna TV channels — making a paid TV subscription unnecessary for certain fans.
- Out-of-market games: NBA League Pass is the league’s out-of-market TV package designed for fans who don’t live near their preferred team. The service also comes with NBA TV for additional NBA and WNBA coverage.
- National games: Any TV service that offers ESPN and NBA TV will get you nationally televised NBA games. Sling TV offers the cheapest way to get those channels with its Sling Orange plan ($45.99/mo.) and Sports Extra add-on ($11.00 a month). You’re also gonna need Peacock Premium for any games streaming there.
Which TV providers carry NBA preseason games?
TV providers that offer ESPN and NBA TV will get you some NBA preseason games. Services like DIRECTV, Fubo, and Spectrum offer more coverage through RSNs, but channel lineups and game availability can vary based on your location.
| Provider | Price | ESPN | NBA TV | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$171.98/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $94.99–$124.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | — |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $33.00/mo. | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
How to watch the NBA preseason for free
Some NBA teams offer free viewing options during the preseason. For instance, the Sacramento Kings stream games on Kings.com, while the Phoenix Suns air on Arizona’s Family channels (KTVK and KPHE-LD).
If you want more robust preseason coverage, you can also opt for a free trial of DIRECTV or Fubo. Both services have an array of RSNs and national NBA networks. But you won’t get any games streaming on Peacock Premium because that service doesn’t currently offer a free trial.
How to watch the NBA preseason FAQ
Does NBA League Pass include preseason games?
Yes, you can stream select NBA preseason games on NBA League Pass. The streaming service also includes NBA TV, which airs many NBA and WNBA matchups each year.
Is the NBA preseason on Hulu?
Yes, all NBA preseason games that air on ESPN are available to stream on Hulu + Live TV. The live TV streaming service doesn't offer NBA TV and NBA League Pass, but you can sign up for those services separately.
When does the NBA preseason start?
The 2026 NBA preseason starts on Saturday, October 3, with a matchup between the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors for the NBA Canada Game. Preseason ends on Friday, October 16, four days before NBA Opening Day.
Are NBA preseason games on Peacock?
There are likely to be some NBA preseason games scheduled to stream on Peacock Premium, but those details hadn't been confirmed at time of publication.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched and compiled a list of every NBA preseason game this year. Using that list, he reviewed channel listings and compared popular TV providers to determine the best ways to watch the NBA preseason, factoring in the league’s new TV deal. He based his provider recommendations on game counts, pricing, and ease of use.
Check out our Editorial Policy page to learn more about our methods.
