The NBA has released its complete 2026-27 schedule, and it’s packed with rivalry renewals, star debuts and marquee national broadcasts from October through April.
How the Schedule Works
Each team plays 82 games, with 80 dates and opponents assigned in advance. The remaining two games per team are determined later based on results from the Emirates NBA Cup group stage, which runs October 30 through November 27 across 60 “Cup Night” contests.
Marquee Early-Season Matchups
- Celtics at Pistons and 76ers at Knicks headline opening night on October 20
- Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Miami Heat debut against Minnesota on October 21
- A Knicks-76ers Cup Night rematch and a Lakers-Warriors showdown during group play
National TV Windows
Games are distributed across Disney (ABC/ESPN), NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock) and Amazon Prime Video, with the league’s marquee showcase days including Christmas — detailed fully in our Christmas Day schedule breakdown — plus two additional four-game holiday slates on January 18 and February 15.
Tracking the Season
For a broader look at how the full calendar fits together, from the regular season through the Finals, see our complete NBA calendar guide. And if you just want to know what’s on tonight, our NBA Games Today guide has you covered.
Building Your Season-Long Watch List
With so many notable dates across an 82-game slate, it helps to prioritize a handful of matchups per month rather than trying to track everything at once. Circling division rivalries, nationally televised showcases and any game involving a team you’re following in the standings race is usually the simplest way to stay engaged without information overload.
Bottom Line
With 1,230 regular-season games ahead, the 2026-27 slate offers no shortage of storylines. Bookmark the schedule and start planning which nights you can’t miss.