The countdown to a new NBA season is officially on. With training camps set to open later this month and opening night matchups already locked in, basketball fans are searching for every key date on the 2026-27 calendar as the league gears up for another marathon campaign.
Quick Answer: The Key Dates
- September 21: First allowable date for players in international preseason games to report
- September 22: Training camps open for teams playing preseason games outside North America
- September 28: First allowable date for all other veteran players to report
- September 29: NBA training camps open league-wide
- October 3: NBA preseason games begin, including the NBA Canada Games
- October 19: Rosters set for NBA Opening Day
- October 20: Start of the NBA regular season
Opening Night: October 20, 2026
The league has lined up a marquee slate to open the season. Boston Celtics host the Detroit Pistons in the early afternoon window, before Philadelphia 76ers welcome the New York Knicks, and the night closes out with Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the San Antonio Spurs — all three games broadcast nationally on NBC and Peacock as part of the league’s broadcast partnership that returned to prominence over the past two seasons.
Why Training Camp Matters This Year
Every training camp carries its own storylines, but this year’s edition arrives with several rosters freshly reshaped after an active offseason trade market. Camps give coaching staffs their first extended look at how new additions fit alongside returning cores, and it’s traditionally when position battles for rotation spots are decided before the preseason begins on October 3.
International Preseason Games
The NBA’s continued global expansion is on full display again this preseason, with the NBA Canada Games bringing Toronto Raptors matchups against Miami Heat and the LA Clippers to Quebec City and Vancouver, while the NBA China Games return with Dallas Mavericks facing Houston Rockets in Macao — two matchups scheduled for October 9 and 11.
The Road to the Emirates NBA Cup
Beyond opening night, one of the season’s earliest marquee events is the Emirates NBA Cup, with group play tipping off on October 30 on Prime Video. The in-season tournament has grown into one of the most talked-about additions to the NBA calendar in recent years, giving teams a meaningful in-season prize to chase well before the playoff race heats up in the spring.
G League and Development Calendar
The NBA’s development pipeline also kicks into gear shortly after the main season begins. The G League Draft is scheduled for October 24, with G League training camps running from October 26 through November 5, and rosters set for G League Opening Night on November 5 ahead of the Tip-Off Tournament beginning November 6 — giving teams and fans alike an early look at prospects who could factor into NBA rotations later in the year.
What to Watch For Once the Season Starts
With training camps opening September 29 and the preseason following closely behind, national attention will quickly turn to roster battles, rookie debuts, and how offseason trades reshape the league’s competitive balance. Several franchises enter this season with retooled rosters following an active summer trade market, and training camp performances will go a long way toward setting early-season expectations before the games start counting on October 20.
Why This Season Is Already Trending
NBA training camp dates reliably drive a surge in search interest every September, as fans look to confirm exactly when their team reports, when preseason tickets go on sale, and how opening night matchups shake out. With opening night set for October 20 and a nationally televised tripleheader already locked in, expect “NBA season start date” and “NBA training camp 2026” to remain high-volume search terms right through the end of the month.
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Further Reading
- Full NBA coverage on Sports News ERA
- More American sports news under Other Sports on Sports Dastak
- Browse the NBA section on Sports Tamasha for roster and trade analysis
- Catch up on NFL 2026 season kickoff coverage on Sports News ERA for more from the US sports calendar
FAQs
When do NBA training camps open in 2026?
League-wide training camps open on September 29, 2026, with camps for teams playing international preseason games opening a week earlier on September 22.
When does the 2026-27 NBA regular season start?
Opening night is October 20, 2026.
What games are on NBA opening night 2026?
Celtics vs. Pistons, 76ers vs. Knicks, and Thunder vs. Spurs are all scheduled for opening night, broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
When does the Emirates NBA Cup begin?
Group play for the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup tips off on October 30 on Prime Video.
