NBA 2026/27 Season: Schedule, Dates, UK TV & Past Winners

The 2026/27 NBA season is underway, with 30 teams competing for the NBA championship. Here’s everything you need to know about key dates, fixtures, where to watch in the UK and previous NBA winners.

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When Does the NBA Season Start?

The NBA regular season starts on 20 October 2026 and runs until 11 April 2027.

Key dates include:

20 October 2026: Regular season begins

25 December 2026: Christmas Day games

19–21 February 2027: NBA All-Star Weekend

13–16 April 2027: Play-In Tournament

17 April 2027: NBA Playoffs begin

June 2027: NBA Finals

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Who won the NBA championship in 2026?

The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA championship, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4–1 in the Finals.

The title was New York’s first since 1973, ending a 53-year wait for another championship. Led by Jalen Brunson, the Knicks overcame the Spurs in a competitive series that featured several dramatic comebacks.

Brunson’s performances helped New York secure the championship, while San Antonio’s young team demonstrated its potential to challenge for future titles.

The result also gives the Knicks an opportunity to defend their crown during the 2026/27 season. They will face competition from established contenders and emerging teams looking to take the next step.

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Recent NBA Winners

2025/26 – New York Knicks

2024/25 – Oklahoma City Thunder

2023/24 – Boston Celtics

2022/23 – Denver Nuggets

2021/22 – Golden State Warriors

2020/21 – Milwaukee Bucks

2019/20 – Los Angeles Lakers

2018/19 – Toronto Raptors

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How does the NBA season work?

The NBA consists of 30 teams divided between the Eastern and Western Conferences. Each team plays 82 regular-season games, with results determining league standings and playoff qualification.

The season has several stages:

Regular season: Runs from October to April, with teams competing to secure the best possible position in their conference.

NBA Cup: The in-season tournament features group-stage games followed by knockout rounds. The championship game does not count towards regular-season standings.

Play-In Tournament: Teams finishing seventh to tenth in each conference compete for the final two playoff places.

NBA Playoffs: Sixteen teams compete in best-of-seven series across the first round, conference semifinals and conference finals.

NBA Finals: The Eastern and Western Conference champions meet in a best-of-seven series to decide the NBA champion.

The regular season determines playoff seeding, but teams must also perform under pressure in the postseason to win the championship.

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Where can I watch the NBA in the UK?

UK fans can watch selected live games on Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video.

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When is the NBA game in Manchester?

The New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs are scheduled to meet at Co-op Live in Manchester on 17 January 2027. It will be the first NBA regular-season game held in Manchester.

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