2026-27 NBA · the schedule

🏀 Christmas, the Cup, abroad

The showcase dates

Three kinds of night the league builds the calendar around. Christmas is five games, noon to late, on ABC and ESPN. The Cup groups play on Fridays from October 30 through November, with the knockout rounds added once the standings settle. And four games leave home entirely: Mexico City in November, Paris and Manchester in January, two in Austin.

Christmas Day Five games, ABC and ESPN

Emirates NBA Cup Group play — knockout rounds added when the groups settle

International and neutral sites Mexico City, Paris, Manchester, Austin

Source: the league's August 13, 2026 release, subject to change. Times are Eastern. The final 30 games (Cup knockouts and a few late dates) are added when the league announces them.