Basketball fans unite! The start of the NBA season is almost here. The NBA Tipoff, which is the start of the season, takes place on Tuesday, October 21. And whether you’re a seasoned basketball fan, just getting started or can’t wait to watch players like LeBron James and Steph Curry, we’ve created this guide to help you follow along. From information about the NBA Tipoff to streaming services to where to buy merch and hosting essentials, we’ve got it all. So, get ready to cheer on your favorite players and teams.
Your Guide to NBA Season Tipoff
What is the NBA season tipoff?
NBA Tipoff refers to the start of the basketball season. The Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors vs. the Los Angeles Lakers will tip off the season on October 21, 2025, at Paycom Center and the Crypto.com Arena. See the full schedule here.
Where to watch
There are several ways to stream the NBA Tipoff games and season games from the comfort of your own home. You can stream games via ESPN+, which starts at $30 a month, or you can get the ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+ bundle for $36 a month (the ad-supported plan) and $45 a month (premium plan).
If you have a subscription to Peacock, you can also watch games live. The monthly premium plan is $11 a month, while the premium annual plan is $110 a year. Essentially, you have access to the same content with both plans, but with the annual plan, you save 17% and only have one payment per year as opposed to a monthly payment.
Amazon Prime members can watch the games live via Prime Video starting on October 24. If you subscribe to NBA TV via the website or through your television provider, you can also watch the tipoff and games live.
Traveling to games
One of the best things about attending an NBA game is experiencing the excitement of the arena. After viewing the schedule, you can purchase tickets to anticipated games via the website. Just select the ‘tickets‘ option and the site will direct you to Ticketmaster, where you’ll select your section and seats. Prices vary depending on dates and teams, but you can expect to pay more money for popular teams like the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors. Even if you can’t make it to an NBA game, we highly encourage you to go to a WNBA game or a college basketball game.
Hosting a watch party
You don’t have to leave the house to support your teams and join in on the fun! Host a watch party for friends and family for the NBA Tipoff or during the season. For starters, you need a good TV. Really, any television with high-quality sound and Dolby Vision works, but we especially love this 75-inch Amazon Fire Smart TV.
And you can’t forget about the snacks and drinks. You don’t want your guests to starve, do you? Put together a charcuterie board of crackers, cheese, fruit and small finger foods for guests to snack on. Or if you want to keep things simple, order a pizza, wings and soda from DoorDash or Uber Eats. And if you really want to take things up a notch, you can prepare a meal for your guests, buy or make a basketball-themed cake or cupcakes or become the bartender of the day and serve up delicious cocktails and mocktails.
FAQs
Which teams should I watch?
It’s up to you! That’s the beauty of basketball and sports in general! Some of our favorite teams include the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls.
Who are the best players to follow?
LeBron James is arguably the G.O.A.T. of basketball and someone who you should be following. We also like watching Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Jason Tatum, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Kawhi Leonard. And if you plan on watching the upcoming WNBA games, pay attention to Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Aliyah Boston, Te-Hina Paopao and the G.O.A.T., A’ja Wilson.
Is it different from WNBA and college basketball?
Yes! NBA, WNBA and college basketball teams all play on different schedules. The rules, roster sizes, season length and physical differences are also different within each league. The NBA and WNBA also have different draft requirements, including age, college eligibility and declaring.
Where can I stream the games?
You can watch the games live on ESPN+ or purchase the ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+ Bundle. Streaming is also available on Peacock and Amazon Prime. You can also watch the tipoff and additional games on NBA TV.
What to Shop for the Season
- Sporty Shorts: Sport these Los Angeles Lakers Athletic Shorts on tipoff day to celebrate and root for your favorite team. And if you’re a Warriors, Knicks or Miami fan, you can snag yourself a pair of those, along with several other teams.
- Rep Your Team: And you have to grab a hoodie to match! This one features the officially licensed, iconic Los Angeles Lakers logo with a high-quality patch design.
- Dress Like an Athlete: If it’s too hot to sport a hoodie, you can’t go wrong with repping your team on a t-shirt. This Ultra Game Men’s NBA Official T-Shirt has plenty of teams to choose from. Plus, the moisture-wicking fabric and athletic fit make it a comfy game day staple.
- Game On: What better way to get the pre-game vibes going than some friendly competition? In NBA 2K26 for PlayStation 5, players can dunk on each other in head-to-head matches as they learn some serious moves and dribble up and down the court.
- Dunk On ‘Em: Take the competition outside with this Wilson NBA DRV Series Basketball. Show off your dribbling skills, make three-pointer shots and create a game plan with your teammates.
- Backyard B-Ball Legend: And if you’re playing outside, it doesn’t hurt to have a hoop in your front or back yard. Grab this Lifetime NBA New York Knicks Portable Basketball Hoop. A number one bestseller for a reason, it’s easy to adjust, sturdy and shatter-resistant.
- Watch the Games: If your TV just isn’t big enough to watch the games, grab this Amazon Fire TV 75-Inch Omni Series Smart TV before the start of the season. It’s complete with Dolby vision, 4K ultra HD and HDR, and you can stream the games via ESPN+ and Peacock with a subscription.
- G.O.A.T. Status Decor: Display the G.O.A.T. in your man cave or home by grabbing this Funko Pop! NBA: Bulls Michael Jordan Figure.
