Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

When Does NBA Season Start in 2025? Key Dates for 2025-26 NBA Season

Countdown has already begun for the NBA 2025-26 season.

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

So much has happened in the NBA in the fast few weeks! We finally have a new champion team, new drafts have been picked, and the Summer League is about to kick off. Action has finally shifted to the brand new season in the league, and it goes without saying that excitement is in the air. The NBA 2025-26 season would be the 80th season of the league and guarantees to add another thrilling chapter in the history of basketball.

Like every other season, the forthcoming season will be packed with key-storylines, roster moves, high voltage on-court drama and new broadcast dynamics. No matter how they fared in the past season, all 30 teams will begin the upcoming year in the league with new approach, strategies, yet one goal- the coveted Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

Important Dates in NBA 2025-26 Season

Here, we will take you through the important dates for the upcoming NBA season.

NBA Summer League

The NBA 2K26 Summer League is set to kick off on July 10 and will come to an end on July 20. Here, all 30 NBA teams will clash against each other at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The opening day will feature Dallas vs. Los Angeles Lakers (8 ET), San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers (10 ET).

NBA 2025 Preseason

NBA Abu Dhabi Games- For the 2025 preseason, the NBA will host The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025, which will feature the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. The preseason games will be played on Thursday, October 2 and Saturday, October 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

Melbourne Series

The NBA and Australia’s NBL will come together to organize two preseason games in Melbourne, Australia. In the series, the New Orleans Pelicans will play against the NBL teams in Melbourne this October, marking the first NBA games in Land Down Under. The Pelicans will be up against the Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix in Melbourne Park on October 3 and October 5.

The @NBA and @NBL today announced that the New Orleans Pelicans will play two preseason games against NBL teams in Melbourne this October, marking the first NBA games in Australia.

More: https://t.co/1mJT58QYwJ pic.twitter.com/54oPFMhdeP
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 10, 2025

NBA China Games

The NBA will visit China in October 2025, when the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will play two preseason games on Friday, October 10 and Sunday, October 12 at The Venetian Arena.

The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns will be playing two preseason games at The Venetian Arena in Macao on Friday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 12! pic.twitter.com/dHHKPKU4dw
— NBA (@NBA) December 6, 2024

NBA Regular Season

The NBA Regular Season 2025-26 will kick off on October 21. It will come to an end in April 2026.

NBA All-Star 2026

The NBA All-Star 2026 will take place in Los Angeles from February 13 to February 15. The opening night will see NBA Rising Stars at Intuit Dome. On the second day, i.e., February 14, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature events such as the Kia Skills Challenge, the Starry 3-Point Challenge and AT&T Slam Dunk. On February 15, the annual festivities will come to a conclusion with the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

NBA 2025-26 Season

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.