Where to watch NBA games online in 2026: free and paid options

Basketball fans who want to watch the 2025/26 NBA season games can do that on NBC, ESPN, ABC, Peacock, and Prime Video. NBA games are also available via the NBA League Pass, which is the best option for the 2025/26 season. However, it is important to note that basketball fans will not be able to view all games due to regional blackouts. The only way to avoid blackouts and enjoy all NBA games via the NBA League Pass is by using a robust VPN service.

If you want to watch NBA games for free without cable, you can use popular streaming services that offer free trials. DirecTV, which has a 5-day free trial, FuboTV with a 7-day free trial, and Hulu + Live TV with a 3-day free trial will allow you to watch NBA games, but you might encounter blackouts. It’s also possible to watch select NBA games for free on YouTube TV in India, RTBF Auvio in Belgium, and CCTV5 in China. No matter which streaming site you decide to use to watch NBA games without blackouts or geo-restrictions, you will need to use a VPN.

In this article, I’ll provide paid and free options where you can stream the 2025/26 NBA season. Continue reading and learn how to watch NBA games without restrictions with a VPN in 2026.

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Best NBA streaming sites for the 2025-26 season

You can watch nationally televised NBA games on ESPN, NBC, ABC, Peacock, and Prime Video, depending on the day of the week. For example, NBC usually broadcasts on Tuesdays, Peacock streams NBA games on Mondays, while ESPN covers Wednesdays, and Prime Video broadcasts Friday's games, with added Thursday and Saturday games mid-season. Weekends will be shared across ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video. That said, if you’re looking for out-of-market coverage, NBA League Pass gives you access to over 40 extra weekly matchups.

If you don’t have a cable or satellite subscription, you can instead watch NBA games on streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Sling, or NBA League Pass, among others.

However, most NBA streaming services – NBA League Pass, Sling TV, DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo TV, and more – face blackout restrictions, affecting the viewing experience for certain NBA games. The only way to bypass NBA game blackout restrictions is to use a reliable VPN, like NordVPN. A VPN masks your location, allowing you to connect to servers in areas where games aren't blacked out, ensuring uninterrupted access to live NBA action regardless of your region.

1. NBA League Pass — best for out-of-market NBA games

Includes: over 40 live games per week + full-game replays, but no national or local team matchups
Price: from $16.99/month

NBA League Pass gives access to over 40 live games weekly, plus full-game replays. However, national and local NBA games are subject to blackout restrictions. To bypass these restrictions, use a reliable VPN service to connect to a server in a different region where the games are available.

NBA League Pass prices start at $16.99/month or $109.99/season if you seek out-of-market games, plus NBA TV coverage. The League Pass Premium plan, priced at $24.99/month or $159.99/season, removes ads and lets you stream on up to three devices simultaneously. Besides, the Premium plan lets you get access to in-arena streams. As for blackouts, they affect local games, but a top VPN can help you get around them.

You can get NBA League Pass on desktops, mobile devices, smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and gaming consoles. You can also get live commentary on Apple Watch and CarPlay.

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2. Sling TV — affordable way to watch NBA games without cable

Includes: ESPN and TNT for nationally televised NBA games
Price: from $45.99/month

If you’re looking for an option to stream NBA games without breaking the bank, look no further than Sling TV. With the Sling Orange plan, you can watch nationally televised NBA matchups on ESPN and TNT without needing cable. While you might experience regional blackouts on Sling TV, you can avoid them by getting a reliable streaming VPN that is capable of bypassing them, such as NordVPN.

Sling TV has two main plans: Sling Orange for $45.99/month and Sling Blue for $50.99/month. Sling Orange is perfect for NBA fans as it includes both ESPN and TNT, but you’re limited to streaming on only one device at a time.

Meanwhile, Sling Blue also offers TNT and possibly ABC (depending on your location) and lets you stream on three devices simultaneously. If ABC isn’t available, you’ll need an antenna or use ESPN3 on Sling Orange. For full NBA coverage, the Orange + Blue plan costs $65.99/month. Plus, for an extra fee, you can add NBA TV with the Sports Extra package.

Sling TV works on smart TVs, desktops, mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, gaming consoles, and more.

Enjoy the NBA season through Sling TV with NordVPN

3. DirecTV Stream — best for complete local and primetime NBA coverage

Includes: ESPN, TNT, and ABC for nationally televised NBA games + RSN coverage
Price: from $89.99/month

DirecTV Stream is a fantastic option for complete NBA coverage. With the Choice plan, you get access to NBA TV, RSN, and national channels like ESPN, TNT, and ABC, available in all of its plans. However, just like with other streaming platforms, with DirecTV, you might experience blackouts when trying to watch NBA games, depending on the match and your location. Luckily, by using a premium VPN that has stable and fast servers worldwide, you can bypass such restrictions.

Starting at $89.99/month, DirecTV provides extensive coverage of regional sports networks. It’s perfect for fans who don’t want to miss local teams or national matchups. On top of that, DirecTV stands out because it has RSN coverage. That way, you don't have to worry about missing local games. Besides, if you are after even more games, you can get NBA League Pass as an add-on, so rest assured that you won’t miss out on any action.

You can stream DirecTV on desktop and mobile devices, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and a few other platforms. DirecTV Stream also has a 14-day money-back guarantee and a 5-day free trial, which allows you to watch NBA games for free.

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4. Hulu + Live TV — watch every local and nationally televised NBA game

Includes: ESPN, TNT, and ABC for nationally televised NBA games
Price: from $89.99/month

If you're looking to stream all of the local and national NBA games, Hulu + Live TV has you covered with channels like TNT, ESPN, ABC, and many more. By using a robust VPN like NordVPN, you will be able to bypass blackouts, which will allow you to watch all NBA games from anywhere.

Priced at $89.99/month with ads and $95.99/month without ads, Hulu + Live TV offers a wide selection of channels, making it a solid choice for NBA fans. What’s more is that it comes with Hulu's on-demand library, combining live sports with shows and movies. However, NBA TV isn’t included, so some out-of-market games will be missed.

You can stream Hulu + Live TV on smart TVs, desktops, mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Hulu + Live TV also allows you to stream NBA games for free, as it has a 3-day free trial that you can take advantage of.

Enjoy NBA matches without blackouts

5. YouTube TV — top-rated streaming service for NBA

Includes: ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, and ABC for nationally televised NBA games
Price: from $82.99/month

For NBA fans, YouTube TV is a top pick with channels like ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV. Plus, YouTube TV is currently offering a free trial, which can be up to 10 days, depending on the ongoing promotion. Be sure to check their site for the latest details.

YouTube TV's base plan starts at $82.99/month and gives you access to over 100 channels, including NBA TV. However, local games might be subject to blackout restrictions, but you can bypass them by using a reliable streaming VPN. On the plus side, though, it has unlimited DVR and streaming on up to three devices, which makes it a top pick for NBA action.

YouTube TV works on smart TVs, desktops, Roku, mobile devices, and more.

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Best free NBA streaming sites in 2026

If you want to save money and watch NBA games for free, you can do that by using streaming services that offer free trials. Some of the best NBA streaming sites, like YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV, have free trials that you can take advantage of. By doing so, you’ll be able to stream your preferred NBA matches completely free.

There are also some free sites that stream NBA games, but many of them are illegal. Such sites broadcast copyrighted content without the needed licenses, thereby violating copyright laws. I advise you not to use such services to watch NBA games, as they not only stream content illegally, but also put you at risk. By using illegal streaming services, you might be exposed to various malware, malicious ads, phishing, and even legal issues. Instead, use legal alternatives that will allow you to watch selected NBA games for free, such as the NBA YouTube channel, RTBF Auvio, and CCTV5.

1. NBA YouTube channel

Basketball fans in India might also be able to enjoy NBA matches through the official NBA YouTube channel. During the 2024/25 NBA season, viewers in India were able to watch weekly games, select playoffs, and the 2025 Finals completely free, without the need for a subscription. Currently, there is no official information on whether the 2025/26 season will be available on the NBA YouTube channel in India, yet some sources believe that it will carry some live games, highlights, or supplementary content.

The NBA YouTube channel is a legal and official broadcaster, so it’s safe to use the streaming service. However, the channel is geo-restricted to India only. If you’re outside of the country, you can bypass this by using a robust VPN provider. However, it is important to note that doing so might breach YouTube’s or the NBA’s terms of service.

2. RTBF Auvio in Belgium

In Belgium, users will be able to watch NBA matches via Auvio, which is RTBF’s free streaming platform. To do so, you will need to have a free RTBF account. Auvio includes one live game per week, highlights, and magazine shows. You can also find the schedule on Auvio and RTBF Sport.

RTBF Auvio is a public broadcaster with official NBA rights in Belgium, meaning that viewers in Belgium can stream the NBA legally and completely free. To access the streaming service outside of the country, you will need to use a VPN service with servers in Belgium. Before doing so, keep in mind that circumventing geo-restrictions might violate Auvio’s terms of service.

3. CCTV5 in China

Another way to watch NBA games completely free is by using CCTV-5 in China. CCTV-5 is a free-to-air channel, which you can stream via the CCTV site. By visiting the streaming service, you can watch select NBA games and check the official sports EPG for live listings.

CCTV-5 is an official national broadcaster of the NBA in Mainland China, meaning that you can use it without any risks. However, due to geo-restrictions, the site is not available for users outside of the country. One way to bypass this is by using a streaming VPN that is capable of unblocking such services, like NordVPN. However, just like with other streaming platforms, it’s advisable to use the VPN responsibly and note that bypassing restrictions might go against the site’s terms of service.

Best VPNs for watching NBA online and bypassing regional restrictions

1. NordVPN

   best overall VPN to watch NBA games from anywhere
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   premium NBA VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
   9.5
3. Proton VPN

   reliable and secure VPN for NBA games with a free version
   8.6

NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN proved to be the best VPNs to watch the 2025/26 NBA season games as they successfully bypass geo-restrictions on various streaming services. All top providers offer a wide selection of servers worldwide, including the US. They also deliver solid speeds, which is especially important when watching NBA games if you want a smooth and uninterrupted streaming experience.

While all three providers are suitable for streaming, they also guarantee strong security online, which is the main purpose of a VPN. NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN do not keep any logs, use military-grade AES-256 encryption, and have additional features for extra privacy. With NordVPN, you can use features like Threat Protection and Double VPN, Surfshark has NoBorders, CleanWeb, and Multi-Hop VPN, and Proton VPN has NetShield Ad-blocker and Stealth.

Besides, all top 3 NBA VPNs have free trials, reliable money-back guarantees, or even a free version. By taking advantage of this, you can get quality VPN services for free.

How to watch the NBA on your streaming devices

Depending on your streaming device, how you watch NBA games can differ. For example, Roku and Firestick support apps like Hulu + Live TV and NBA League Pass, while Kodi requires add-ons to stream NBA games. However, to bypass blackout restrictions, you’ll need a VPN. In short, each device has its limits when it comes to app support, and there are different ways to set up VPNs for you to stream without any blackouts.

Watch live NBA games on Roku

You can watch NBA live games on Roku through services like NBA League Pass, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and more. However, while these platforms cover major channels like TNT and ESPN, blackout restrictions could still block local games. To get around this, you’ll need to set up a VPN on your router. VPNs like NordVPN support a broad range of routers, allowing you to change your location and stream NBA games blackout-free.

Watch NBA games on Firestick

With Firestick, you can stream live NBA games through apps like Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and more. These platforms offer access to TNT, ESPN, and other channels, but blackouts might restrict local games. In that case, simply download a VPN app, like NordVPN, directly on your Firestick. This will help you change your virtual location and stream NBA games without blackouts.

Watch NBA games on Kodi

There are several high-quality Kodi add-ons that let NBA fans stream live games. For example, the Sling TV add-on provides access to NBA TV, TNT, ABC, and ESPN, while the Hulu add-on offers TNT, ABC, and ESPN channels. However, blackout restrictions could still get in the way, and to get around them, you’ll need a VPN. By setting up a VPN on your router, you can change your location and watch NBA games without restrictions.

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Stream the NBA in any country

Global NBA League Pass is the best way to catch up with the 2024/25 NBA season. It’s available in most countries and streams all the games. However, each country also has its own platforms that stream the matches.

How to watch NBA games in Canada

NBA fans in Canada can stream matches through Sportsnet and TSN. However, their selection of games can be limited. Therefore, Global NBA League Pass is a great option for Canadians. To access NBA games outside of the country you will need a Canadian VPN.

1. Get a solid VPN provider. My choice is NordVPN, now 76% OFF.
2. Connect to a country outside the US.
3. Purchase Global NBA League Pass.
4. Enjoy NBA games worry-free!

Watch NBA games in Canada

How to stream the NBA in the UK

NBA games are available in the UK through Sky Sports or NOW TV (with a Sky Sports pass). Fans can also purchase a Global NBA League Pass.

Since Sky Sports is only available in the UK, fans outside the UK must rely on the best VPN for the UK to watch the games from anywhere. Here’s a guide on how to watch Sky Sports or get a Global NBA League Pass:

1. Get a trustworthy VPN. I recommend NordVPN, with 440+ servers in the UK.
2. Connect to a server in the UK.
3. Log in to the Sky Sports website or NOW TV.
4. Unblock NBA games from anywhere!

Unblock NBA games in the UK

How to stream NBA games in Australia

Australians can enjoy NBA games through Foxtel and Kayo Sports. While both platforms offer ESPN coverage, they are unavailable outside the country. Therefore, if you’re traveling, you should get a trustworthy VPN for Australia to catch up with the games.

Another way to watch the games is through NBA League Pass or other streaming platforms, such as YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. However, services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV only work in the US, and you would also need a VPN for this to work. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to stream NBA games in Australia:

1. Get a VPN service provider. My recommendation is NordVPN, known for its fast speeds and strong security.
2. Connect to a server in Australia or the US, depending on which platform you want to access.
3. Log in to a streaming service such as Foxtel or Kayo Sports.
4. Enjoy all NBA matches!

*If you're planning a trip outside Australia during NBA games, check out our guide on how to watch Kayo Sports with a VPN outside of the country.

Get the best VPN for Australia

NBA games schedule 2025/26

Conclusion: best way to watch NBA games in 2026

The new 2025/26 NBA season has already started and is available on ESPN, Peacock, ABC, NBC, Prime Video, and the NBA League Pass. If you’re looking for ways to watch the NBA for free, you can also try using streaming services that have free trials, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV. Some free streaming services, such as YouTube TV in India, CCTV in China, and RTBF Auvio in Belgium, will broadcast NBA games.

However, you might not be able to watch all NBA games due to regional and national blackouts. Luckily, you can avoid blackouts and bypass geo-restrictions on international streaming platforms by using a robust streaming VPN. By using a VPN, you can change your IP address, which will help you avoid any restrictions. My tests revealed that NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN proved to be the best VPNs for the 2025/26 NBA season. These top VPN providers offer stable and fast speeds worldwide, robust encryption, and additional security features, which will ensure a smooth experience when watching NBA games.

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FAQ

Where can I watch NBA games online?

You can watch NBA games online through NBA League Pass and other streaming platforms, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV, which offer access to networks like ESPN, ABC, and TNT. Depending on your location, you can still experience blackouts and limited coverage.

Can I watch NBA games without cable?

Yes, you can watch NBA games without cable through streaming services such as NBA League Pass, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV. NBA League Pass streams most games live, so you can get the best game coverage.

What is the cheapest way to watch the NBA?

The cheapest way to watch the NBA is with NBA League Pass in India, Turkey, and Ethiopia. The NBA League Pass in India costs around $2.50/month, $3.40/month in Turkey, and $2.15/month in Ethiopia, which is way cheaper compared to prices in the US, UK, or Australia. If you’re located outside of these countries but still want to watch the NBA for the cheapest price, use a robust VPN, such as NordVPN. With NordVPN, you’ll be able to bypass geo-restrictions and purchase the NBA League Pass for the cheapest price.

Is there an app to watch all NBA games live?

Yes, the NBA League Pass app allows you to watch all NBA games live. Depending on your subscription, you can watch both in- and out-of-market games. However, local blackout restrictions may still apply. For those, I recommend using a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN.

Does Hulu have NBA TV?

While Hulu itself doesn’t have NBA TV, you can catch up with the games through Hulu + Live TV. It has access to live networks like TNT, ESPN, and others that broadcast many NBA games.

How to watch NBA games for free?

To watch NBA games for free, use streaming services that broadcast NBA matches and have free trials. YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV all stream NBA games and offer free trials, which you can take advantage of and stream matches completely free. Additionally, you can use a VPN and access geo-restricted yet free streaming services to watch NBA games, such as the NBA YouTube channel, CCTV5, and RTBF Auvio.