If you’ve ever stood on the asphalt outside the Thomas & Mack Center in July, you know that heat is different. It’s the kind of heat that makes the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League schedule feel less like a basketball tournament and more like a survival test. But for those of us who live for the sound of sneakers on a court while the rest of the world is at the beach, this is our Christmas.
Honestly, the schedule is the most misunderstood part of the whole Vegas experience. Most people wait until the last minute to look it up, only to realize the "best" games—the ones with the top five draft picks—usually happen in the first 48 hours. By day six? Those stars are wearing expensive hoodies on the bench.
When Does the 2026 Action Actually Start?
The NBA Las Vegas Summer League schedule for 2026 is officially locked in for July 10 through July 20.
Think about that for a second. Eleven days of non-stop hoops.
Usually, the league tries to avoid the immediate Fourth of July hangover. They want people in the seats, and they want the rookies fresh. This year, the opening night on Friday, July 10, is expected to be a circus. Why? Because that’s when the top two or three picks in the 2026 Draft will likely make their debuts back-to-back.
If you’re planning a trip, here’s a tip most "experts" won't tell you: the first Sunday is the sweet spot. You get the high-profile matchups, but the Saturday "influencer" crowd has usually cleared out of the UNLV campus by then.
The Breakdown: How the Schedule Works
The format isn't a straight tournament. Not at first.
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Basically, every single one of the 30 NBA teams shows up. They each play at least four games. After those four games, the league look at the standings and points. The top four teams (or sometimes eight, depending on how they tweak the tiebreakers this year) move into a playoff bracket.
- July 10 - July 17: Preliminary round (everyone plays).
- July 18: Semifinals.
- July 20: Championship Game.
I’ve seen fans show up on July 19th expecting to see their favorite lottery pick. Bad move. By the time the playoffs hit, most "sure thing" rookies have been shut down to prevent injury. They've seen enough. The coaching staff has seen enough. If you want to see the 2026 top picks, you’ve basically got to be there between the 10th and the 14th.
Where the Games Happen
You’ve got two venues, and they are literally connected by a hallway.
The Thomas & Mack Center is the big house. It’s where the marquee games happen—Lakers, Knicks, and whoever has the #1 overall pick. Then there’s Cox Pavilion. It’s smaller, louder, and honestly, way more fun.
In Cox, you are sitting so close you can hear the trash talk. I once sat behind a scout who was literally circling "lateral quickness" on a notepad for a guy who’s now a starting guard in the Eastern Conference. You don't get that vibe in the big arena.
The nba las vegas summer league schedule usually splits games between these two gyms starting around noon and running until nearly 10:00 PM local time. One ticket gets you into both. You just walk back and forth. Just don't forget to stay hydrated; that hallway walk feels like a marathon after ten hours of basketball.
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Watching From Home: TV and Streaming
Not everyone can make it to Nevada. I get it.
The 2026 broadcast situation is a bit different because of the new media rights deals. You're going to see a lot of games on ESPN and ESPN2, but NBA TV still carries a massive chunk of the heavy lifting.
The real pro move is using NBA League Pass.
They usually offer a specific "Summer League" package or just include it in the off-season sub. The beauty of streaming is the lack of blackouts for these specific games. Plus, you get to hear the weird, experimental commentary where they interview players' moms or random G-League coaches for twenty minutes straight during the second quarter.
Why This Year Feels Different
There is a specific buzz about the 2026 class. We’ve been hearing about these guys since they were sophomores in high school.
Unlike the 2024 or 2025 drafts which felt a bit "top-heavy" or uncertain, the 2026 crop has a few "franchise-altering" names at the top. Scouts are already calling the opening night matchups "must-see" TV.
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And let’s talk about the undrafted guys. The schedule is a grind for them. They aren't playing for "development"—they’re playing for a job. When you see a 24-year-old from a mid-major school diving for a loose ball on July 15th, that’s Summer League in a nutshell.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're serious about following the schedule, don't just wait for the NBA's official PDF to drop in late June.
First, book your hotel now. Prices in Vegas for that mid-July window spike the moment the draft ends. Look for hotels near the Flamingo or the Linq if you want to be central, or just stay at the Virgin Hotels if you want to be within walking distance of UNLV.
Second, follow the beat writers. The official schedule tells you when the teams play, but the beat writers on X (formerly Twitter) will tell you who is actually playing. If a team's top rookie has a minor "soreness" issue, they'll post about it two hours before tip-off.
Lastly, get the GA tickets early. General Admission is the way to go. It gives you the freedom to scout both gyms. Don't bother with the "reserved" seats unless you absolutely hate standing in line for a good spot in the lower bowl.
The 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League schedule isn't just a list of games. It’s a 10-day window into the future of the sport. Plan for the first weekend, bring a portable phone charger, and be prepared for at least one "who is that guy?" moment that turns into a "I saw him first" story three years from now.