The 2026 NBA preseason runs from the first exhibition games in early October through the week before opening night on Tuesday, October 20. Training camps open Monday, September 29 for most teams after media day on September 28, with the Mavericks and Rockets, who travel to Macao, and the Raptors and Clippers, who play in Vancouver, allowed to open earlier. Rosters must be cut to 15 by 5 p.m. ET on October 19.
Key Dates
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| Sept. 28 | Media day for most teams |
| Sept. 29 | Training camps open |
| Early October | Preseason games begin; each team plays four to six |
| Oct. 9 and 11 | NBA China Games: Mavericks vs. Rockets, Venetian Arena, Macao |
| Oct. 10 | NBA Canada Game: Raptors vs. Clippers, Rogers Arena, Vancouver |
| Oct. 19 | Rosters set, 5 p.m. ET |
| Oct. 20 | Opening night: Celtics at Pistons 3 p.m., 76ers at Knicks 7 p.m., Thunder at Spurs 9:30 p.m. ET, all on NBC and Peacock |
Games Worth Watching
The Lakers and Warriors meet twice in the preseason, October 6 at Chase Center and October 13 in Las Vegas, before opening the regular season against each other on October 21 and again in NBA Cup group play on October 30. The Macao games follow last year’s Nets and Suns trip to the same arena, and Vancouver hosts the Raptors for the second straight October.
What the Preseason Decides
Rotations and the last roster spots. Two way contracts and Exhibit 10 deals get settled in the final week, and the first look at rookies and returning injured players comes in these games. Preseason results and statistics do not count.
Later International Games
Nuggets vs. Pacers in Mexico City on November 7, and Spurs vs. Pelicans in Paris on January 14 and Manchester on January 17, the NBA’s first game in Manchester.
Related
NBA training camp dates · NBA opening night · Opening week schedule · NBA Cup 2026 · NBA October schedule