Andrew Pace
The National Basketball Association (NBA) season typically runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The preseason usually takes place in October, with teams playing several games to give fans a preview of rosters and strategies. The regular season then officially tips off in late October, marking the beginning of the competitive league games. The NBA's 2025-26 season will commence on October 21, 2025, with games featuring the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and more. This season will also see the NBA returning to the United Kingdom, with regular-season matches hosted in London and Manchester.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NBA season start date | 21 October 2025 |
| Preseason games | October 2025 |
| Regular season games | October 2025 to April, followed by the playoff tournament |
| NBA preseason global dimension | NBA Melbourne Games 2025 |
| NBA Tip-Off games | October 2025 |
| Teams | 30 |
| Games | 82 |
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What You'll Learn
The NBA regular season typically starts in October
The NBA preseason usually takes place in October, with teams playing several games before the regular season begins. This gives fans an early look at rosters and strategies and is a great opportunity to evaluate rookies, new player combinations, and tactical adjustments made by franchises.
The NBA season typically starts to heat up in November. After the early adjustments in October, teams are now fully engaged in the competition, looking to establish their playing style and secure crucial victories. Strategies begin to take shape, and the first insights into each team's strengths emerge.
January is also a pivotal month in the NBA schedule. As the first half of the season comes to an end, teams assess their progress and make strategic adjustments. For some franchises, it's a chance to assert their dominance, while others must act quickly to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The NBA has also been expanding internationally, with games taking place in Europe and Australia. In 2025, the New Orleans Pelicans played preseason games in Melbourne, Australia, facing Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix. In 2026 and 2027, the NBA will host regular-season games in London and Manchester, returning to the United Kingdom for the first time since 2019.
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The WNBA season ends in October
The WNBA, or Women's National Basketball Association, is the premier women's basketball league in the world. The WNBA season typically runs from May to September, with the playoffs extending into October and culminating with the WNBA Finals.
The 2025 WNBA season, currently ongoing, is the league's 29th season. It began on May 16, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on September 11, with the playoffs beginning on September 14 and the WNBA Finals taking place in October. This will be the first time the Finals will use a best-of-seven format.
The WNBA has seen several notable retirements ahead of and during the 2025 season, including Layshia Clarendon, the first openly non-binary player in the league; Danielle Robinson, a three-time All-Star; and Diana Taurasi, an 11-time All-Star and three-time WNBA Champion.
The WNBA continues to grow and expand, with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries in 2023, bringing the total number of teams to 13. The league has also taken initiatives to promote respect and combat hate across all platforms, with the launch of the "No Space for Hate" task force, utilising AI-powered technology to monitor social media and increase security measures.
While the WNBA season ends in October, the NBA season is just beginning. October marks the start of the NBA preseason, with teams playing several exhibition games before the regular season tips off in late October.
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NBA preseason starts in October
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The NBA's regular season usually runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The league's playoff tournament extends into June, culminating with the NBA Finals championship series.
The NBA preseason usually starts in late September or early October, with teams playing several preseason games before the regular season begins. This year, the 2025-26 NBA preseason will start on October 10 and end on October 17, with the regular season starting on October 21. The preseason will feature games played in Abu Dhabi, Australia, China, and North America. The preseason games will be hosted at NBA teams' arenas and neutral sites, including domestic non-NBA markets and foreign markets.
The preseason is an exciting time for fans as they get an early look at rosters and strategies. It's the perfect opportunity to evaluate rookies, new player combinations, and tactical adjustments made by franchises. This year, the NBA preseason will take on a global dimension with the NBA Melbourne Games 2025. The New Orleans Pelicans will travel to Australia to face Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix, marking the league's global expansion and the growing passion for basketball worldwide.
The 2025-26 NBA preseason will feature some notable matchups. On October 10 and 12, the Nets will play the Suns at The Venetian Arena in Macao as part of the NBA China Games. The Nets and Knicks will also play preseason games outside of North America, with the Nets playing in Abu Dhabi and the Knicks in Australia before the regular season starts. These preseason games will give fans a glimpse of what to expect from their favorite teams and players in the upcoming season.
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NBA Cup tournament starts in October
The NBA Cup is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) tournament that occurs during the regular season. The tournament was first announced on July 8, 2023, and debuted during the 2023-24 NBA season. The NBA Cup is a multi-stage tournament that begins with group play, followed by single-elimination knockout rounds. The winning team receives the NBA Cup trophy, and each winning player is awarded a cash prize. The first winner of the NBA Cup was the Los Angeles Lakers, with LeBron James being the tournament MVP.
The 2025-26 NBA season marks the return of the NBA to NBC after 8,532 days, as well as its debut on Peacock. The NBA season will tip off on October 21, 2025, with the Rockets facing the Thunder and the Warriors playing the Lakers. The Emirates NBA Cup 2025, the NBA's third annual in-season competition, will begin on October 31, 2025, with the group stage lasting until November 28. The tournament will feature two stages: Group Play and the Knockout Rounds. The Semifinals and Championship will be held at a neutral site in Las Vegas on December 13 and December 16, respectively.
The NBA preseason usually takes place in October, giving fans an early look at rosters and strategies. Teams play several preseason games, which are a great opportunity to evaluate rookies, new player combinations, and tactical adjustments made by franchises. This year, the NBA preseason will have a global dimension, with the New Orleans Pelicans travelling to Australia to face Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix. This marks a historic moment that highlights the NBA's global expansion and the growing passion for basketball worldwide.
October is a crucial month for the NBA season, as it marks the beginning of the regular season. Teams are fully engaged in the competition, aiming to establish their playing style and secure crucial victories. Strategies start to take shape, and insights into each team's strengths and weaknesses emerge. Franchises that struggle during the opening weeks must quickly adjust and turn things around to stay competitive. In-form teams, on the other hand, focus on sustaining their momentum and solidifying their position in the standings.
The NBA Cup tournament starting in October adds excitement to the early stages of the NBA season. With teams competing in the group stage and aiming for a strong start, fans can look forward to intense matchups and the emergence of early contenders. The NBA Cup provides an opportunity for teams to showcase their talent and strategy, setting the tone for the rest of the season. As the tournament progresses towards the knockout rounds and the championship in December, the level of competition intensifies, creating a thrilling experience for players, fans, and the entire NBA community.
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College basketball season begins in early November
The NBA's regular season typically runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The preseason, which takes place in October, gives fans an early look at rosters and strategies, as well as an opportunity to evaluate rookies, new player combinations, and tactical adjustments.
The college basketball season, on the other hand, begins in early November. The specific date can vary, but it usually falls within the first week of the month. The 2024-25 NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball season, for example, commenced on November 4, 2024. The non-conference portion of the college basketball season typically lasts from early November through to the end of December, after which conference play begins.
The NBA season also extends into November, marking a turning point in the competition. After the initial adjustments in October, teams become fully engaged, aiming to establish their playing style and secure important victories. Strategies begin to solidify, and the strengths and weaknesses of each team start to become apparent.
So, while the NBA preseason and early regular season overlap with the latter part of the year, the college basketball season typically commences in early November, marking the official start of the journey to March for teams across the country and all divisions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the NBA regular season typically begins in late October and ends in late April. The 2025-26 NBA season is scheduled to start on October 22, 2025.
No, the WNBA season starts in early summer (May or June) and ends in October.
No, the college basketball season typically begins in early November and ends in early April.
