When Does NBA Basketball Start? 2025 Schedule Revealed

By Sarah Miller · April 9, 2044

The NBA regular season typically begins in mid-to-late October. For the 2025-2026 season, NBA basketball is scheduled to start on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

When Does the NBA Season Start?

The National Basketball Association (NBA) follows a consistent annual schedule, with the regular season tipping off in October each year. The 2025-2026 NBA season will officially begin on October 21, 2025, featuring a lineup of marquee matchups to launch the campaign.

Key Dates in the NBA Calendar

Training Camps: Begin early October
Preseason Games: Start around October 5, 2025
Regular Season Start: October 21, 2025
All-Star Weekend: February 13–15, 2026
Playoffs Begin: April 18, 2026
NBA Finals: June 4–21, 2026 (projected)

NBA Season Structure Explained

The NBA season is divided into distinct phases: preseason, regular season, and postseason. Each phase serves a strategic purpose for teams and players.

Preseason (Early October)

The preseason allows teams to evaluate new players, test strategies, and build chemistry. It usually spans two weeks with each team playing 6–8 exhibition games.

Regular Season (October – April)

Each of the 30 NBA teams plays 82 games—41 home and 41 away. The schedule balances divisional, conference, and inter-conference matchups.

Postseason (April – June)

The top eight teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs, culminating in the NBA Finals, a best-of-seven series to crown the champion.

Season Phase	Dates (2025-2026)	Duration	Games Per Team
Preseason	Oct 5 – Oct 19, 2025	2 weeks	6–8
Regular Season	Oct 21, 2025 – Apr 14, 2026	~5.5 months	82
Play-In Tournament	Apr 15–18, 2026	4 days	1–2 (per qualifying team)
Playoffs	Apr 18 – Jun 21, 2026	~2 months	Up to 28
NBA Finals	Jun 4 – Jun 21, 2026	~3 weeks	Up to 7

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights the structured timeline of the NBA season, emphasizing the long 82-game regular season and compressed playoff format. The Play-In Tournament, introduced in 2020, adds competitive intensity at the end of the regular season by giving teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference a chance to qualify for the playoffs.

Frequently Asked Questions About When NBA Basketball Starts

When does the 2025 NBA season start?

The 2025-2026 NBA regular season begins on October 21, 2025, with several high-profile games scheduled on opening night.

How many games are in an NBA season?

Each NBA team plays 82 regular-season games—41 at home and 41 on the road. This is followed by up to 28 additional games in the playoffs for teams that advance to the NBA Finals.

What time does NBA basketball start tonight?

NBA game times vary, but most regular-season games start between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Doubleheaders on national networks like ESPN or TNT may begin earlier or later depending on broadcast schedules.

Does the NBA season always start in October?

Yes, the NBA regular season has consistently started in October since the league's modern scheduling format was established. Minor variations occur due to labor negotiations or global events, but October remains the standard kickoff month.

When do NBA tickets go on sale for the 2025 season?

NBA tickets for the 2025-2026 season typically go on sale in August 2025. Individual team websites and official ticketing partners like Ticketmaster begin releasing inventory once the full schedule is announced in August.