Andrew Pace
The basketball season is almost here! The NBA preseason starts in late September and the regular season traditionally runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The NBA Finals usually take place in June. The WNBA season starts earlier, in May or June, and ends in October. College basketball typically begins in early November and ends in early April. So, depending on the league and your location, basketball season might be just around the corner!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NBA 2025-26 season start date | October 21, 2025 |
| NBA 2025-26 season end date | April 12, 2026 |
| NBA 2024-25 season start date | October 22, 2024 |
| NBA 2024-25 season end date | April 13, 2025 |
| College basketball season start date | Early November |
| College basketball season end date | Early April |
| High school basketball season start date | November |
| High school basketball season end date | March |
| WNBA season start date | May or June |
| WNBA season end date | October |
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What You'll Learn
- The NBA season typically starts in October and ends in April
- The WNBA season starts in May or June and ends in October
- College basketball usually starts in early November and ends in early April
- High school basketball seasons vary but typically last 4-5 months, from November to March
- The NBA has a Summer League, providing year-round basketball
The NBA season typically starts in October and ends in April
The NBA season typically runs from October to April. The 2025-26 season is scheduled to begin on October 21, 2025, and end on April 12, 2026. This timeframe allows for a full 82-game season, including playoffs.
The NBA preseason usually starts in late September, with training camps and media days taking place before the preseason games. The preseason games give teams an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and test different lineups before the official start of the NBA season.
The NBA Cup, a tournament within the regular season, adds excitement to the schedule. The group stage games are typically played on Fridays between October and November, with a single-elimination tournament concluding the competition in December.
Following the conclusion of the regular season in April, the NBA playoffs begin, leading up to the highly anticipated NBA Finals. The NBA Finals typically take place in June, marking the end of the NBA season before the offseason and free agency period.
While the COVID-19 pandemic caused scheduling adjustments, the NBA has returned to its traditional October to April schedule, ensuring a consistent and exciting basketball season for fans worldwide.
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The WNBA season starts in May or June and ends in October
The WNBA season typically starts in May or June and ends in October. This is in contrast to the NBA regular season, which usually begins in October and runs until April the following year, and the college basketball season, which generally starts in early November and ends in early April.
The WNBA's season start date is influenced by the fact that basketball, as a winter sport, was designed to be played indoors during the colder months. This is true of most basketball leagues, which tend to start at the beginning of winter. The WNBA is an outlier in this regard, with its season beginning in early summer.
The length of the WNBA season has varied over the years. Before the 2020 pandemic, each team played 34 games per season. In 2020, the season started later, in July, and only 22 games were played. The 2021 season was also impacted by the pandemic, with 32 games played.
The specific dates for the 2025 WNBA season are as follows:
- April 27: Training Camp Begins
- May 2: Pre-season Games Begin
- May 12: Last Possible Date for Pre-season Games
- May 15: Final Roster Cut-down Date
- May 16: Regular Season Begins
- September 11: Regular Season Ends
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College basketball usually starts in early November and ends in early April
The college basketball season is designed to take place during the winter months, so athletes can play an indoor sport and avoid the cold outdoors. The season usually concludes in March, with 64 teams competing in the highly anticipated March Madness tournament. This tournament sees a range of upsets and buzzer-beaters, creating an exciting end to the college basketball season.
The start of the college basketball season often overlaps with the NBA preseason, which typically begins in late September and early October. The NBA regular season usually starts in October and continues until April, with a full 82-game season, including playoffs.
High school basketball seasons also typically start in November, lasting until March. These seasons may vary depending on the school and league requirements, with playoffs and state championships extending the season further.
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High school basketball seasons vary but typically last 4-5 months, from November to March
The basketball season for high school students varies depending on the school, but each team's season typically lasts for 4-5 months, from November to March. The 2023-24 season, for example, tipped off at different times across the country, coinciding with the football playoffs.
The season usually begins around the start of winter, which is not a coincidence. James Naismith, the inventor of the sport, designed it as an indoor sport for the winter months so athletes wouldn't have to play outside in the cold.
The college basketball season typically starts in early November and ends in early April. Each team has a much shorter schedule than the NBA, playing only 25-35 games per season.
The NBA regular season starts around October and goes until April the next year, allowing for a full 82-game season, including playoffs. However, the 2019-20 season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying the season's conclusion until October 2020.
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The NBA has a Summer League, providing year-round basketball
The NBA season typically runs from October to April, with the NBA Finals taking place in June. However, the NBA also has a Summer League, providing basketball fans with games to watch throughout the year.
The Summer League is an opportunity for players to fight for a roster spot and showcase their skills. It usually takes place in July, with various tournaments and showcases happening across the United States. For example, the 2025 Summer League included the California Classic, the Salt Lake City Summer League, and the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas.
The California Classic Summer League, held in Sacramento and San Francisco, took place from July 5 to July 8, 2025. The Salt Lake City Summer League, featuring teams such as UTA, MEM, OKC, and PHI, was held during the same period. The NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas ran from July 10 to July 20, with 76 games played over 11 days.
The Summer League is a great opportunity for fans to get a first look at the upcoming rookie class and for players to make a case for a spot on an NBA roster. It provides a platform for young players to showcase their talent and make a name for themselves before the start of the regular season.
With the Summer League, the NBA offers basketball action throughout the year, giving fans the opportunity to enjoy their favorite sport even during the off-season of the regular NBA campaign.
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Frequently asked questions
The NBA season typically starts around October and ends in April the following year. The 2025-26 season is scheduled to begin on October 21, 2025, and end on April 12, 2026.
The WNBA season usually starts in early summer (May or June) and wraps up in October.
The college basketball season typically begins around early November and ends in early April.
The high school basketball season typically lasts for 4-5 months, starting in November and ending in March.
