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The NBA 2025-26 season is the upcoming 80th season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season is set to begin on October 21, 2025, and end on April 12, 2026. The NBA Cup tournament is planned to be held from October 31 to December 16, 2025, with the NBA All-Star Game on February 15, 2026. The play-in tournament and playoffs will follow, concluding with the NBA Finals starting on June 4, 2026. College basketball seasons also typically run from November to March, with conference tournaments determining March Madness bids at the end of February or early March. So, no, the basketball season is not over.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Upcoming NBA season | 2025-26 |
| NBA season dates | October 21, 2025 – April 12, 2026 |
| NBA Cup tournament dates | October 31 – December 16, 2025 |
| NBA All-Star Game date | February 15, 2026 |
| Play-in tournament dates | April 14 – 17, 2026 |
| NBA Finals start date | June 4, 2026 |
| NBA Draft dates | June 25 – 26, 2025 |
| College basketball season | 2025-26 |
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What You'll Learn
NBA 2025-26 season dates
The 2025-26 NBA season is the upcoming 80th season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season is scheduled to begin on October 21, 2025, and end on April 12, 2026.
Before the regular season begins, teams will play several preseason games, giving fans an early look at rosters and strategies. This year, the NBA preseason takes on a global dimension, with the New Orleans Pelicans travelling to Australia and the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns playing in China.
The third edition of the in-season NBA Cup tournament is planned to be held from October 31 through December 16, 2025. The group games will be held primarily on Fridays between October 31 and November 28, with additional games on November 25 and 26. The winners of each pool and two wild-card teams will advance to a single-elimination tournament held on December 9, 10, 13, and 16.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for February 15, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The play-in tournament will be played from April 14 to 17, 2026, followed by the opening of the playoffs the next day. The NBA Finals will start on June 4, with a possible Game 7 scheduled for June 21.
The NBA offseason typically takes place during the month of August, when teams focus on roster changes, summer training, and preparing for the upcoming season. This period is crucial for management to finalise player signings and complete contract negotiations.
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College basketball 2025-26 season preview
The 2025-26 men's college basketball season is highly anticipated, with Houston already tipped as the favourite to win. The team is bringing in one of the country's elite recruiting classes, with three top-20 prospects, and the return of Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler. However, it is worth noting that rosters are still uncertain, with the transfer portal open and NBA draft decisions still to be made.
Auburn reached the Final Four in the 2024-25 season, and while their roster faces changes, they have a new coach in Bruce Pearl, who has landed UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall. The Florida Gators had an incredible season, winning the national championship, but they face the departure of several key players, including Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard.
BYU will be a team to watch, with elite freshman AJ Dybantsa joining. Dybantsa has been compared to Kevin Durant and will be a key player for the Cougars. UConn could also be back in title contention, with a strong portal season and the return of Ball to their backcourt.
Other notable players to watch include Cameron Boozer, who is predicted to be in the national player of the year conversation, and Kingston Flemings, who is ranked No. 20 in ESPN 100.
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NBA Cup tournament schedule
The NBA Cup is an annual tournament that occurs during the regular NBA season. The first edition of the tournament was held from November 3 to December 9, 2023, and was called the In-Season Tournament. The NBA Cup features all 30 NBA teams competing for a championship title. The tournament begins with group play, followed by single-elimination knockout rounds.
The 30 NBA teams are divided into six groups of five. Each team plays four games in the group stage, which count towards the NBA Cup group standings and the regular season standings. The winners of each group, along with one wildcard team from each conference, advance to the knockout rounds. The quarterfinals are played in home venues, while the semifinals and finals are held at a neutral site. The inaugural NBA Cup was won by the Los Angeles Lakers, with LeBron James being named MVP. The second edition of the tournament was held from November 12 to December 17, 2024, and was sponsored by Emirates. The Milwaukee Bucks won the 2024 NBA Cup, with Giannis Antetokounmpo being named MVP.
The NBA Cup tournament schedule for the 2024-25 season is as follows:
- November 12: Emirates NBA Cup begins
- December 3: Group stage concludes
- December 10-11: Quarterfinals
- December 14: Semifinals in Las Vegas
- December 17: Championship in Las Vegas
The NBA Cup tournament provides additional excitement and engagement for fans, especially during the early part of the regular season. It also creates new revenue streams for the league and offers incentives for teams to compete.
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NBA player retirements
It seems that the NBA season is never truly over, with a packed schedule of events and games throughout the year. The 2024-25 NBA season is set to begin on October 22, 2024, with the 2025-26 season following soon after.
With such a busy schedule, it is inevitable that players will come and go, and retirements are a constant feature of the NBA calendar. Here is a look at some of the NBA's biggest stars who have retired in recent years, and what they left behind.
2023 Retirements
The 2023 retirements included Udonis Haslem, who walked away from the game, and Carmelo Anthony, who left an "astronomical impact" on basketball. LaMarcus Aldridge was another big name to retire in 2023, although his prime was cut short due to injury.
2024 Retirements
In 2024, the NBA saw a host of big names retire from the game. Blake Griffin, known for his impressive slam dunks, announced his retirement on Instagram. Griffin's career spanned 13 seasons, starting with the LA Clippers, where he created the "Lob City" era. He also played for the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics, adding defence and jump shots to his game.
Ricky Rubio, known for his court vision and impressive assists, also hung up his high-tops in 2024. He spent his last few years with the Cleveland Cavaliers but was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming one of the league's most likeable players.
Gordon Hayward retired on August 1, 2024, leaving a versatile legacy as a small and power forward. His career spanned several teams, including the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Hayward was a pivotal All-Star, known for his 2017 NBA All-Star selection, and his leadership was instrumental in Butler University's 2010 NCAA championship run.
Other notable players who retired in 2024 include Rajon Rondo and Marc Gasol.
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NBA coaching changes
There have been several coaching changes in the NBA since the end of the 2022-23 regular season. Here are the details of the coaching changes for some of the teams:
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons fired coach Dwane Casey, who stepped down and took on a front-office role with the team. They hired Monty Williams, the 2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year, as their new head coach. Williams is expected to bring a new wave of optimism to the franchise. However, the Pistons later fired Williams and replaced him with J.B. Bickerstaff.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets hired Ime Udoka as their new coach. Udoka is a former Celtics coach and is expected to be part of the culture change in Houston, where young players need to learn to be professionals.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks fired their coach, Mike Budenholzer, after five seasons. They hired Adrian Griffin, a rookie head coach with 15 seasons of NBA coaching experience, most recently as an assistant with the Toronto Raptors.
Philadelphia 76ers/Toronto Raptors
The 76ers/Raptors coach Nick Nurse was fired after leading the team to its only NBA title in 2019, his first season as coach. The Raptors hired Darko Rajakovic, who will oversee a team that could go in several directions.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns fired coach Monty Williams on May 13, 2023, after four successful seasons. They hired Frank Vogel, who has won a title and will be coaching his fourth NBA team. Vogel is expected to provide a different voice and energy to the franchise.
These coaching changes are part of the regular turnover in the NBA, as teams seek to improve their performance and dynamics.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the 2025-26 NBA season is the upcoming 80th season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season is scheduled to begin on October 21, 2025, and end on April 12, 2026.
The NBA preseason ends on October 18, 2025.
The NBA regular season starts on October 22, 2025.
The NBA draft took place on June 25-26, 2025, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Some key dates for the 2025-26 NBA season include:
- September 5-6: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Enshrinement Weekend.
- September 23: Media days for teams travelling outside North America for the preseason.
- October 12-13: Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend in Springfield, MA.
- October 21: Rosters set for NBA Opening Day.
- November 2: NBA Mexico City Game 2024.
- November 8: NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament begins.
