You've felt it, right? That weird mid-August itch when the sun is still scorching, but the baseball standings start looking like a math problem and you realize there isn't a single meaningful basketball game on television.
Honestly, the wait is the worst part. But every year, like clockwork, the same question starts trending: when does the nba regular season begin?
If you're looking for the short answer for the current 2025-26 cycle, the ball officially tipped off on October 21, 2025. If you’re trying to plan for next year or just want to understand the rhythm of the league, there is actually a very specific "science" to how Adam Silver and the league office pick these dates. It’s not just a random Tuesday they pull out of a hat.
The October Tradition: Why It Starts When It Does
For most of modern history, the NBA has staked its claim on the third or fourth Tuesday of October. This isn't just a tradition; it’s a tactical move. By starting in late October, the league avoids a direct collision with the peak of the MLB playoffs and gives itself some breathing room before the NFL really starts hogging the Sunday spotlight.
The 2025-26 season followed this blueprint perfectly. On Tuesday, October 21, the world got to see the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder raise their first banner in the "Loud City" era before taking on the Houston Rockets.
Basically, the league wants that "opening night" feeling to be a standalone event.
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Key Dates for the 2025-26 Cycle
- Training Camp: Most veterans reported on September 29, 2025.
- Preseason Start: October 2, 2025 (Abu Dhabi Games).
- Opening Night: October 21, 2025.
- Emirates NBA Cup Finals: December 16, 2025.
- Regular Season Finale: April 12, 2026.
Wait, did you notice that? Every single team plays on the final day of the season. It’s absolute chaos—15 games, one day, and usually massive playoff seeding implications.
When Does the NBA Regular Season Begin for Specific Teams?
It’s a common misconception that everyone starts on the same night. They don't. Opening Night is usually a "teaser" with only two or four high-profile teams. The rest of the league typically joins the party on Wednesday or Thursday.
In 2025, while the Thunder and Rockets were battling it out on Tuesday, teams like the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs—featuring the highly anticipated Cooper Flagg vs. Victor Wembanyama matchup—didn't actually see their regular season begin until October 22.
If you're a fan of a smaller-market team, your "beginning" is almost always 24 to 48 hours after the national TV double-header.
The Logistics: How the Date Gets Picked
The NBA schedule release usually happens in mid-August. This is when the league confirms exactly when the NBA regular season begins for every specific franchise.
Why August? Because the league has to wait for the arena schedules to solidify. They aren't just juggling basketball; they're juggling Taylor Swift tours, Disney on Ice, and political conventions.
Factors That Shift the Calendar
- Olympic Years: When the summer Olympics run late, the league sometimes toys with the idea of a later start to give stars more rest.
- The New NBA Cup: The "In-Season Tournament" (now the Emirates NBA Cup) has forced the league to be more rigid with the October start to ensure the Vegas finals happen before Christmas.
- Broadcaster Demands: With new partners like Amazon Prime and NBC joining the fray in 2025, the league is more beholden than ever to specific "window" starts.
Surprising Details About Opening Night
Did you know that "Ring Night" wasn't always a thing? In the early days of the league, the schedule was way more haphazard. Now, the start of the season is a choreographed marketing masterpiece.
The league specifically looks for "Rivalry Week" potential and "Homecoming" narratives. For example, Kevin Durant’s return to OKC as a Rocket was a deliberate choice for the 2025 opener. They want drama. They want you tweeting (or "X-ing") about it immediately.
Also, it's worth noting that the rosters aren't even "official" until 5:00 PM ET on the day before the season starts. Teams are often making trades or waiver wire claims just 24 hours before tip-off. So, when people ask when the season begins, the "real" answer for the GMs is actually that Monday roster deadline.
What Most Fans Get Wrong
A lot of people think the preseason counts toward the standings. It doesn't. Sorta obvious, right? But what’s less obvious is how the NBA Cup group play games (which started October 31 this season) actually do count as regular-season games.
This is a nuance that still trips people up. You aren't playing "extra" games for the tournament; the tournament is baked into the 82-game cake.
Actionable Steps for the Next Tip-Off
If you're a die-hard fan or a fantasy basketball manager, just knowing the start date isn't enough. Here is how you should actually prepare for the next season:
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- Mark mid-August on your calendar: This is the "Schedule Release" period. It’s the best time to buy tickets before the secondary market (StubHub, etc.) marks them up by 200%.
- Watch the "Last Cut" date: Usually, the Saturday or Sunday before the Tuesday opener is when the final rosters are set. If you're drafting a fantasy team, wait until then.
- Check the International Schedule: Sometimes the "beginning" of the season for some teams involves a 14-hour flight to Abu Dhabi or Paris. This usually results in a "rest day" or a slow start for those teams in their first week back on U.S. soil.
The 2025-26 season is already in full swing, with the playoffs set to begin on April 18, 2026. If you missed the start this time, keep your eyes on late October 2026 for the next cycle. The patterns of the NBA are nothing if not consistent.
Track the team injury reports in the week leading up to the opener. Many teams will "hide" minor injuries during the preseason only to announce a star is "Out" on the morning of the regular season opener. Staying ahead of these announcements is the difference between a winning bet and a lost Tuesday night.