The air smells like floor wax and fresh sneakers. It's that weird time of year where superstars play twelve minutes and guys you’ve never heard of are suddenly taking game-winning threes. If you’re asking when does preseason start for nba, the short answer is usually the very beginning of October, but there’s a lot of "it depends" baked into that calendar.
Honestly, the NBA doesn't just flip a switch and start playing in your local arena. It's a slow burn. It starts with whispers from training camp and eventually explodes into those international showcase games that the league loves so much. For the most recent 2025-2026 cycle, for instance, the gears started turning as early as September 23 for teams headed overseas.
The Real Timeline of the NBA Preseason
Most people think the preseason starts when the first whistle blows. Technically, sure. But for the players, it starts way earlier. You’ve got Media Day—that’s the day where everyone looks tan, claims they’ve "added 15 pounds of muscle," and says they’re in the best shape of their lives.
For the majority of the league, training camp opens in late September. In 2025, that magic date was September 29. However, if a team is scheduled to play in a different time zone—think Abu Dhabi or Macao—they get a head start. The Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks actually tipped off the entire 2025 preseason on October 2.
📖 Related: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
Why so early? Because jet lag is a nightmare. The NBA gives these teams an extra cushion to adjust their internal clocks before they start running up and down a court in the Middle East.
Key Dates to Circle
- Late September: Training camps open and the "best shape of my life" quotes begin.
- Early October: The first actual games start, often featuring international venues.
- Mid-October: The "bridge" period where starters play more minutes to find their rhythm.
- October 17-20: Preseason wraps up, and teams have to make those brutal final roster cuts.
Why the Start Date Always Shifts
You might notice the date isn't static every year. It’s not like Christmas. The NBA schedule is a massive jigsaw puzzle involving stadium availability, TV broadcast deals, and the league's global expansion goals.
Take the 2025-26 season as a prime example. We saw games in Abu Dhabi on October 2 and 4, and then the Phoenix Suns headed to Macao to play the Brooklyn Nets on October 10. These international "business trips" usually dictate the "official" start of the preseason calendar. If the league isn't traveling abroad, the start date might lean closer to October 5 or 6.
👉 See also: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
Does it actually matter?
Some fans think preseason is boring. I get it. The fourth quarter is basically a G-League audition. But if you’re a die-hard, this is where you see the rookie you’ve been hyped about since the draft. For the 2025 season, everyone was glued to the TV to see Cooper Flagg's first minutes in a Dallas Mavericks uniform. Those early October games are the only time you’ll see a projected superstar play against guys who might be selling insurance by November.
What Most People Get Wrong About Preseason
The biggest misconception is that the preseason is just "practice." It's really not. For a guy on a non-guaranteed contract, October 2 is the most important day of his life.
Also, don't expect the stars to go 100%. Coaches like Steve Kerr or Erik Spoelstra use these games to test weird lineups. You might see a "point center" experiment that never sees the light of day in the regular season. Basically, if you see a weird score like 135-114 (which happened with the Thunder and Hornets in October 2025), don't read too much into it. Defense is... optional... in early October.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
How to Prepare for the Kickoff
If you want to catch the start, you basically need two things: a calendar and a subscription to NBA League Pass or NBA TV. Most of these games aren't on TNT or ABC yet. They’re tucked away on regional networks or late-night streaming.
Keep an eye on the "neutral site" games too. The NBA loves taking preseason to places like San Diego, Vancouver, or Birmingham. It’s their way of testing the waters for future expansion or just giving fans in non-NBA cities a taste of the action.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the International Schedule: If your team is playing in the Abu Dhabi Games or the Mexico City series, they will start their camp and preseason games about 4-5 days earlier than the rest of the league.
- Follow the "Vibe" Reports: Late September is when injury news actually breaks. If a player is "limited" at the start of training camp, they probably aren't playing in those first preseason games.
- Sync Your Calendar: The regular season usually starts about 18 to 20 days after the first preseason game. In 2025, the preseason started October 2, and the regular season tipped off October 21. Use that 3-week window as your rule of thumb.
The preseason is basically the appetizer. It’s a bit messy, the service is slow, but it’s a sign that the main course is finally coming.