When Does Basketball Season Start? Key Dates for 2024–2025

By Sarah Miller · July 27, 2047

The basketball season start dates vary by league and level of play, but generally, the NBA regular season begins in October, NCAA college basketball starts in November, and high school seasons typically tip off in December.

When Does the Basketball Season Start?

Basketball fans around the world eagerly anticipate the start of each new season. Whether you're following professional leagues like the NBA or college teams in the NCAA, knowing when the action begins is essential for planning viewing schedules, fantasy leagues, and travel to games. The answer depends on the specific league and region, but major U.S.-based basketball competitions follow predictable annual calendars.

NBA Season Schedule Overview

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the premier professional basketball league globally. Its regular season typically begins in mid-to-late October, shortly after the conclusion of training camps and preseason games.

Preseason: Early October
Regular Season Start: Mid-to-late October
All-Star Break: February
Playoffs Begin: April
NBA Finals: June

The 2024–2025 NBA season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, with a doubleheader featuring the San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets 1.

College Basketball Season Timeline

The NCAA Men's Basketball season is another major draw for fans, culminating in the annual March Madness tournament. Unlike the NBA, college basketball begins slightly later in the calendar year.

Practices Begin: Early October
Exhibition Games: Late October to early November
Regular Season Start: First week of November
March Madness Tournament: Mid-March to early April

The 2024–2025 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season began with practices in early October, with official games starting on November 4, 2024 2.

High School and Youth Leagues

At the high school level, basketball seasons are governed by state athletic associations and usually begin in late November or early December. Practice may start earlier, depending on local rules.

Practice Start: Late November
First Games: Early December
Postseason Tournaments: February to March

Youth leagues, such as AAU programs, often operate year-round, with competitive seasons aligned with school calendars and national tournaments held in summer months.

International and Professional Leagues

Beyond the U.S., top international leagues have varying start dates:

EuroLeague: Begins in early October
China’s CBA: Starts in October
Australia’s NBL: Begins in September
FIBA World Cup: Held every four years; next in 2027

These leagues attract global talent and offer fans continuous basketball throughout much of the year.

Basketball Season Start Dates by League (2024–2025)

League	Season Start Date	End Date	Games Played	Notes
NBA	October 22, 2024	April 13, 2025	82	Opening night features two games
NCAA Division I (Men)	November 4, 2024	April 7, 2025	Varies	Championship: April 7, 2025
WNBA	May 16, 2025	September 2025	44	Expanded schedule in 2025
EuroLeague	October 3, 2024	May 2025	34	Top European clubs compete
Australia NBL	September 20, 2024	February 2025	28	One of earliest starts globally

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4

The data shows that professional and elite college basketball seasons span from September through June, offering nearly year-round competition. The NBA and EuroLeague begin in October, aligning with the traditional start of the global basketball calendar. In contrast, Australia’s NBL starts earliest, reflecting its Southern Hemisphere scheduling.