Basketball is back. Sorta. If you’ve been staring at your empty calendar since the postseason wrapped up, the wait is basically over. We finally have clarity on when is the warriors first game, and honestly, it’s a doozy. The Golden State Warriors are entering a fascinating era where the "Big Three" nostalgia has met the harsh reality of a rebuilding-while-competing roster.
The NBA released the official 2025-26 schedule, and the Dubs are hitting the ground running. You aren't just looking at a single date here. There's the preseason "get the rust off" phase, the actual opening night that counts for the standings, and that weirdly intense first home game at Chase Center where the energy is always just a bit different.
The Official Start: When Is The Warriors First Game for Real?
The date everyone is circling is October 22, 2026. That is the official tip-off for the Warriors' regular season. They aren't easing into things either. The league office loves a good narrative, so they've slated Stephen Curry and company against a divisional rival right out of the gate.
Expect the lights to be a little brighter.
The first game is an away matchup against the Phoenix Suns. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT. It’s going to be a heavy-weight battle between Steph’s gravity and the Suns' offensive fire-power. If you're looking for the first chance to see the new-look rotation in a game that actually affects the Western Conference standings, this is it.
Don't Forget the Preseason Warmups
Before the real drama starts, we have the preseason. Some people skip these. Those people usually miss the emergence of the next Brandin Podziemski or Trayce Jackson-Davis. The Warriors' very first exhibition game takes place much earlier, on October 5, 2026.
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They’re heading to Hawaii first.
It’s become a bit of a tradition for the Dubs to head to Honolulu for training camp and an opening scrimmage. They'll be facing the Los Angeles Clippers at the Stan Sheriff Center. It’s low stakes, sure. But it’s the first time you’ll see how the offseason acquisitions actually fit into Steve Kerr’s motion offense.
The Chase Center Homecoming
If you’re a local fan, you probably don't care as much about a road game in Phoenix. You want to know when the doors open at Mission Bay. The Warriors' home opener is set for October 27, 2026.
They’re hosting the New Orleans Pelicans.
Chase Center is usually a sea of blue and gold for these, and the team typically does a whole "opening night" celebration even if it’s technically their third game of the season. The vibes are always high. Plus, the Pelicans are a young, fast team that usually forces the Warriors to play at a breakneck pace. It’s rarely a boring game.
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Why This Season’s Start Feels Different
There is a weird tension in the air this year. For the first time in what feels like a decade, the Warriors aren't the odds-on favorites to waltz into the Finals. Klay Thompson is elsewhere. Draymond Green is another year older. The question of when is the warriors first game matters more now because we need to see if the "Double Timeline" strategy is finally bearing fruit or if the window has officially slammed shut.
Steph is still Steph. He proved that in the Olympics. But the supporting cast is a giant question mark.
Can Jonathan Kuminga take that leap to All-Star status? Will Andrew Wiggins rediscover the 2022 version of himself? These aren't just talking points for sports radio; these are the variables that will determine if the Warriors are a play-in team or a top-four seed. The first ten games of the season are historically a huge indicator for Steve Kerr’s teams. If they start 2-8, the trade rumors will start swirling before Thanksgiving.
The Roster Shakeup
Let's look at who is actually taking the floor. The departure of veteran leadership means the "young guys" aren't really the young guys anymore. They're the core.
- Stephen Curry: The undisputed engine.
- Draymond Green: The defensive heartbeat (and the wild card).
- Brandin Podziemski: Expected to take a massive jump in playmaking duties.
- Buddy Hield: The new sharpshooter brought in to replicate some of that lost "Splash Brother" spacing.
Watching how Hield and Steph coexist on the perimeter during that first game against the Suns will be fascinating. Defensively, it might be a nightmare. Offensively? It could be a track meet.
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How to Watch and What to Expect
If you aren't trekking to Phoenix or paying Chase Center prices, you’re stuck with the broadcast. The season opener on October 22 will be a national TV game—TNT has the rights for that one.
Expect a lot of talk about "legacies" and "retooling."
For the preseason games, you’re mostly looking at NBC Sports Bay Area. They usually carry the local feed. If you're out of market, NBA League Pass is your best bet, though blackouts are always a massive pain in the neck for Warriors fans in Northern California.
Key Matchup Details
The Suns game isn't just a random calendar flip. It's a test of the Warriors' new defensive identity. Without a traditional giant in the middle, they are relying heavily on Kevon Looney’s rebounding and Draymond’s IQ. Facing Jusuf Nurkić and Kevin Durant right away is a brutal litmus test.
Actionable Steps for Warriors Fans
Knowing the date is only half the battle. If you want to actually enjoy the start of the season without the usual stress of missing tip-off or finding a stream, get your ducks in a row now.
- Sync Your Calendar: Manually add the October 22nd (7:00 PM PT) and October 27th (7:30 PM PT) dates to your phone. Don't rely on "I'll remember it." You won't.
- Check Your Subscription: If you cancelled YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV during the offseason, re-up at least 48 hours before the first game. There is nothing worse than dealing with "Authentication Failed" errors while the first quarter is ending.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep an eye on the Dubs' official Twitter (X) feed or the NBA app starting about three days before the opener. With an older roster, "Load Management" starts earlier than you'd think.
- Grab Tickets Early: If you're planning on hitting the home opener against New Orleans, buy them now. Prices for the home opener rarely drop; they usually skyrocket as the date approaches and the hype builds.
The 2025-26 season is a pivot point for this franchise. Whether it's a glorious sunset for the dynasty or the start of a new chapter, it all begins with that first whistle in Phoenix. Be ready.