Important dates for the 2025-26 NBA season

A new season begins for the NBA, here are all the key dates

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The 2025-26 NBA season is almost here. Here are some of the key dates as the season gets closer.

2025

Sept. 23 – Media days for teams traveling outside of North America for 2025 Preseason (Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns.

Sept. 23 – First allowable date for players participating in preseason games in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Australia, and China to report to their teams.

Sept. 24 – Training camps open for all teams participating in preseason games outside North

America (Nets, Knicks, 76ers, Pelicans, Suns).

Sept. 29 – First allowable date for all other veteran players to report to their teams.

Sept. 29 – NBA Training Camps open and media days for the remaining 25 teams.

Oct. 2 & 4 – NBA Preseason Begins – NBA Abu Dhabi Games | Knicks vs 76ers

Oct. 3 & 5 – NBA Preseason Melbourne Series | Pelicans vs NBL Teams

Oct. 6 – 2025 NBA Canada Series | Nuggets vs Raptors

Oct. 10 & 12 – 2025 NBA China Games | Nets vs Suns

Oct. 17 – NBA Preseason Ends

Oct. 20 – Rosters set for NBA Opening Day

Oct. 21 – NBA Regular Season begins! Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder – Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers | all on NBC and Peacock

Oct. 31 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 | Group Play tips off on Prime

Nov. 1 – NBA Mexico City Game 2025 | Detroit Pistons vs Dallas Mavericks

Nov. 28 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Group Play concludes

Dec. 9-10 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Knockout Rounds on Prime

Dec. 13 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Semifinals on Prime

Dec. 16 – Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Championship

Dec. 25 – Christmas Day Games – All on ABC and ESPN