🎯 First: The Big Picture (Why This Season’s Subscriptions Matter)
Before diving into details, let’s get real—this NBA season is unmissable. We’ve got 37-year-old Curry chasing history with the Warriors, LeBron’s potential final run, a stacked Thunder defending their title, and even Chinese prospect Yang Hanshen making waves in Portland. Plus, the NBA App and NBA TV just got a massive upgrade (launching Oct. 15) with 24/7 content, international league games, and exclusive behind-the-scenes shows. Whether you’re a casual fan who catches games on weekends or aobsessive who needs every out-of-market matchup, there’s a plan tailored to your fandom.
Heads up: All subscriptions work on the NBA App, connected TVs (Roku, Fire TV), gaming consoles, and even Prime Video (you can link your account for seamless viewing). Blackout rules apply (we’ll cover that later), but this season's promotions—such as the League Pass option which offers savings of over 40% compared to monthly payments—make saving money easier than ever before.
1. 🟢 NBA League Pass (Standard): The “All-Games, No-Fuss” Starter Pack
What It Is
Key Features ✅
- Every out-of-market game: Live or on-demand, so you can catch the Thunder’s title defense, Curry’s three-pointers, or rising stars like Yang Hanshen—no matter where they’re playing.
- Multiview magic: Watch up to 4 games at once (perfect for Saturday marathons when 10 games tip off at the same time).
- All the streams you need: Choose home/away broadcasts (escape biased local announcers!), mobile-optimized “Mobile View” for phone watching, and alternate cameras (sideline, backboard, player cam) for a fresh angle.
- Languages for global fans: Spanish, Korean, and Thai broadcasts—great if you prefer commentary in your native tongue.
- NBA TV included: 24/7 access to 60 regular-season NBA games, global leagues (like Australia’s NBL or China’s CBA), and exclusive shows (more on NBA TV later).
- Archives galore: Relive classic games from 2012-13 to now—want to rewatch the 2020 Lakers title run? It’s here.
- 1 concurrent stream: One device at a time (so no fighting with your roommate over who gets to watch the Lakers vs. Warriors).
- Commercials included: Short, unobtrusive ads—think 30 seconds between quarters, not a minute-long break in the middle of a close game.
Pricing (2025-26) 💰
- Season-Long: $124.99 (over 40% savings vs. monthly!)—covers regular season, Play-In, Finals, Summer League, and year-round archives.
- Monthly: $16.99 (cancel anytime if you only want to watch the playoff push).
- Student Discount: $9.99/month (40% off!)—verify via UNiDAYS here.
Who It’s For 👥
- Fans who want to watch multiple teams (not just one favorite).
- Casual-to-serious viewers who love Multiview and hate missing out on big matchups.
- Budget shoppers who don’t mind commercials or limited streams.
- Anyone new to NBA streaming—this is the “test the waters” option that won’t disappoint.
Pros & Cons ⚖️
2. 🔴 NBA League Pass Premium: The “Diehard’s Dream” (No Compromises)
What It Is
Key Features ✨
- Everything in Standard League Pass—plus:
- No commercials, ever: Instead of ads, you get “In-Arena Streams” during breaks—watch players warm up, fans cheer, or courtside celebrities react. It’s like being at the arena without the ticket price.
- Offline viewing: Download full games, condensed recaps (15-minute highlights), or post-game analysis to watch later—perfect for commutes, flights, or areas with spotty Wi-Fi. Available on iOS/Android (just tap the “…” menu on the game details page).
- 3 concurrent streams: Watch on your TV, phone, and tablet at the same time. Your partner can catch the Celtics game on the living room TV, you can watch the Nuggets on your phone, and your kid can stream the Warriors on their tablet—no more arguments.
- Priority access to exclusives: Be first to watch behind-the-scenes content like “Real Training Camp” (Lakers, Warriors, and other top teams prepping for the season) or “Loud City” (the Thunder’s 2025 Finals documentary).
Pricing (2025-26) 💰
- Season-Long: $184.99 (over 40% savings vs. monthly!)—same extended access as Standard (Finals, Summer League, archives).
- Monthly: $24.99 (cancel anytime).
- Student Discount: $14.99/month (40% off!)—verify via UNiDAYS here.
Who It’s For 👥
- Diehard fans who can’t stand commercials or missed games.
- Frequent travelers (offline downloads = basketball anywhere, anytime).
- Families or roommates who want to watch different games simultaneously.
- Fans who crave the “arena experience” from home (thanks to In-Arena Streams).
Pros & Cons ⚖️
3. 🟡 NBA Team Pass: The “One-Team Loyalist” (Cheap & Focused)
What It Is
Key Features ✨
- All out-of-market games for your selected team: Live or on-demand, plus condensed recaps if you’re short on time.
- Same great streams as League Pass: Home/away broadcasts, Mobile View, alternate cameras, and language options—no skimping on quality.
- Full team archives: Relive your team’s greatest hits from 2012-13 to now (think the 2016 Cavs’ comeback or the 2023 Nuggets’ first title).
- NBA TV included: Free access to 24/7 content, so you can get team news even on off days.
- 1 concurrent stream: Same as Standard League Pass.
- Flexibility to switch teams: Change your selected team twice per season—perfect if your favorite player gets traded (we’re looking at you, midseason blockbuster deals).
Pricing (2025-26) 💰
- Monthly: $13.99 (cancel anytime)—cheaper than Standard League Pass, and no season-long commitment required.
Who It’s For 👥
- Fans who only care about one team (no need to pay for 29 other squads).
- Casual viewers who want to support a specific player or franchise.
- Budget shoppers who want NBA action without the Standard League Pass price tag.
- Anyone who hates sifting through irrelevant games to find their team.
Critical Note: Blackouts for Local Fans
Pros & Cons ⚖️
4. 🔵 NBA TV: The “Basketball 24/7” Hub (Content Beyond Games)
What It Is
Key Features ✨
- 60 live NBA regular-season games: Includes tripleheaders (like the Dec. 20 slate: Rockets vs. Nuggets, Hornets vs. Pistons, Lakers vs. Clippers) and holiday marathons (New Year’s Eve games start at 1 p.m. ET!).
- Global basketball action: Watch WNBA, NBA G League, Basketball Africa League (BAL), and international leagues (Australia’s NBL, France’s LNB, Germany’s BBL, China’s CBA). It’s a great way to scout future NBA stars.
- Exclusive shows:
- “The Association”: Weeknight primetime analysis with former players (Rudy Gay, John Wall) and reporters (Chris Haynes)—covers news, storylines, and real-time game guides.
- “Coaches Corner”: One-on-one chats with NBA head coaches (think Erik Spoelstra or Steve Kerr) about strategy and team culture.
- “Future Starts Now”: Highlights top U.S. high school tournaments—catch the next LeBron before they’re drafted.
- 24/7 coverage: Even on off days, you get highlights, fantasy insights, and classic games (ever wanted to rewatch Michael Jordan’s 63-point game? It’s here).
- Included with other passes: Free if you have League Pass (Standard/Premium) or Team Pass—no extra cost.
Pricing (2025-26) 💰
- Standalone Monthly: $8.99 (US only—cancel anytime).
- Bundled Free: Included with League Pass/League Pass Premium/Team Pass.
Who It’s For 👥
- Casual fans who want basketball content without committing to a full League Pass.
- Fans who love analysis and stories (not just live game action).
- International viewers who want to watch global leagues (BAL, NBL, etc.).
- Anyone who wants a “basketball background” on their TV—24/7 hoops, no effort.
Pros & Cons ⚖️
🎁 5. Special Options & Deals
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League Pass Audio: $9.99/month for audio-only streaming, with no blackouts. Perfect for fans who want to follow the game while on the go.
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Student Discount: College and university students can get NBA League Pass for just $9.99/month. Verify eligibility through UNiDAYS.
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Season-long vs. Monthly Billing: Season-long gives access through the end of the regular season, select Summer League games, and on-demand playoff games. Monthly subscriptions can be paused or canceled anytime.
⚠️ Critical: Blackout Rules (Simplified for Fans)
- What’s a blackout?: Local and national networks have exclusive rights to broadcast certain games, so those games aren’t available live on League Pass/Team Pass. They become available on-demand later.
- US Blackouts:
- Local team games: Blacked out live—available on-demand 3 days later.
- National games (ABC/ESPN/NBC/Peacock/Prime Video): Blacked out live—available on-demand 6 a.m. ET next day.
- Playoffs/Finals: Live games blacked out (air on national TV)—available on-demand 6 a.m. ET next day.
- Canada Blackouts:
- National games (Sportsnet/TSN): Blacked out live—available on-demand ~3 hours later.
- Playoffs (Round 2+): Live games blacked out—available on-demand ~3 hours later.
- Global Fans: Almost no blackouts (except restricted regions: Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Ukraine’s Crimea/Donetsk/Luhansk regions). You can watch every NBA game live!
📊 Side-by-Side Comparison: All Plans at a Glance
| Feature | League Pass (Standard) | League Pass Premium | NBA Team Pass | NBA TV (Standalone) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-Market Games | All (live/on-demand) | All (live/on-demand) | One team (live/on-demand) | 60 NBA + global leagues |
| Commercials | Yes | No (In-Arena Streams) | Yes | Yes |
| Concurrent Streams | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Offline Viewing | No | Yes (iOS/Android) | No | No |
| NBA TV Access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (core feature) |
| Alternate Streams/Languages | Yes (cameras, Spanish/Korean/Thai) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Season-Long Price | $124.99 (covers Finals/Summer League) | $184.99 (covers Finals/Summer League) | N/A (monthly only) | N/A (monthly only) |
| Monthly Price | $16.99 | $24.99 | $13.99 | $8.99 |
| Archive Access | 2012-13 to now | 2012-13 to now | 2012-13 to now (one team) | Classic games + highlights |
🎯 Final Recommendation: Which Plan Should You Pick?
- Casual Fan (1-2 Games/Week): NBA TV ($8.99/month) 🧘. It’s cheap, gives you 60 NBA games, and 24/7 content—perfect for dipping your toes in.
- One-Team Loyalist: NBA Team Pass ($13.99/month) ❤️. Why pay for 29 other teams when you only care about one?
- Serious Fan (3+ Games/Week): League Pass Standard ($16.99/month or $124.99/season) 🧐. All out-of-market games, Multiview, and NBA TV—great value.
- Diehard Fan (Never Miss a Game): League Pass Premium ($24.99/month or $184.99/season) 🤪. Ad-free, offline downloads, and 3 streams—worth every penny for maximum flexibility.
- Global Fan: League Pass Standard or Premium 🌍. No blackouts, all games, and global league access—this is the best deal in the world for hoops.
💡 Bonus Tips for 2025-26
- Maximize Your Season Pass: Remember, season plans cover Summer League and year-round archives—don’t stop watching after the Finals!
- Customize Your View: Try alternate cameras (player cam is awesome for point guards like Luka Dončić) or Spanish commentary for a new experience.
- Troubleshoot Streams: If you’re having issues, restart the NBA App, clear your cache, or switch devices—most problems are easy fixes.
- Check for Local Access: If you’re a local fan facing blackouts, see if your market offers a “Local Access” add-on to watch in-market games on Team Pass/League Pass.
🏁 Wrapping Up: This Season’s Subscriptions Are a Slam Dunk
NBA Streaming FAQ
Navigating the various NBA streaming options can be confusing. This guide answers the most frequently asked questions about the differences between subscription tiers, blackout rules, and key features for the 2025-2026 season.
1️⃣ Q: What are the core differences between League Pass (Standard) and League Pass Premium?
The main differences lie in cost, simultaneous device usage, and commercial experience.
|
Feature |
NBA League Pass (Standard) |
NBA League Pass Premium |
|---|---|---|
|
Pricing (Approx.) |
$16.99/month or $109.99/season |
$24.99/month or $159.99/season |
|
Simultaneous Streams |
1 device at a time |
Up to 3 devices simultaneously |
|
Commercials |
Includes standard TV commercials |
Ad-Free (In-arena stream during breaks) |
|
Offline Viewing |
Not available |
Available (for game content) |
|
Game Coverage |
All out-of-market games |
All out-of-market games |
|
Multiview |
Supports watching up to 4 games on one screen (select devices) |
Supports watching up to 4 games on one screen (select devices) |
2️⃣ Q: I only care about one team. Is Team Pass a good value?
A: If you are a die-hard fan of a single team that is out-of-market for you (i.e., not your local team), Team Pass can be a cost-efficient way to follow that team’s entire regular season game schedule without paying for the full League Pass catalog. However, it is subject to the exact same blackout rules as the other passes.
3️⃣ Q: What exactly are "Blackouts" and why can't I watch my local team?
Blackouts are the most critical and confusing part of the service for fans in the US and Canada. A blackout is a restriction that prevents live viewing of a game on League Pass (or Team Pass).
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Why they exist: Blackouts are enforced because local and national networks (like RSNs, ABC, ESPN, TNT) pay for exclusive rights to broadcast those games live in specific geographic areas.
Two Types of Blackouts:
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Local Blackouts (Regional):
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Rule: You cannot watch your local team's games live on League Pass.
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Reason: The local Regional Sports Network (RSN) has exclusive rights in your area (determined by your IP address/zip code).
National Blackouts:
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Rule: You cannot watch games that are being televised nationally on channels like ABC, ESPN, or TNT live on League Pass.
4️⃣ Q: Is League Pass good if I’m a fan of my local team?
A: Often — no. Because of the strict local blackout rules, using League Pass (or Team Pass) will block many or all of your local team’s live games. If you live in the same city or region as your favorite team, you will likely need a cable or local broadcaster service that carries the RSN to watch them live.
5️⃣ Q: How to Watch Blacked-Out Games Live:
-
Local Team Games: Must be watched live through your local RSN or a cable/streaming service that carries that RSN.
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Nationally Televised Games (ESPN/TNT/ABC): Must be watched live through a cable or live TV streaming package (like YouTube TV or Sling TV) that includes those national channels.
6️⃣ Q: When are Blacked-Out Games Available on Demand?
The games eventually become available in the League Pass archive:
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Nationally Televised Games: Generally available for on-demand viewing the following day (usually by 6:00 AM ET).
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Locally Televised Games: Generally available for on-demand viewing 3 days after the live broadcast concludes.
7️⃣ Q: Does League Pass include the NBA Playoffs or Finals?
A: No, not live in the US and Canada.
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All NBA Playoff and NBA Finals games are nationally televised and are therefore subject to national blackouts on League Pass.
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These games are available for on-demand viewing in the League Pass archives the following day, but they cannot be watched live.
8️⃣ Q: Is NBA TV included with League Pass? What is the difference?
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Inclusion: Yes, access to the 24/7 NBA TV live stream is typically included with both the Standard League Pass and League Pass Premium when purchased directly from NBA.com. (Note: NBA Team Pass may not include NBA TV, depending on the provider.)
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The Difference:
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NBA League Pass: A subscription service that provides live, out-of-market games for every team.
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NBA TV: A dedicated cable/channel that broadcasts select live games (often those that are blacked out on League Pass), 24/7 studio shows, analysis, documentaries, and classic games.
9️⃣ Q: What special broadcast features do these subscriptions offer?
A: Subscribers enjoy several features designed to enhance the viewing experience:
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Home/Away Feeds: Choose between the home or away team's broadcast and announcers.
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Multiview: Watch up to 4 games on one screen simultaneously (on select devices).
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Alternative Broadcasts: Access games in multiple languages, including Spanish, Korean, and Thai.
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Premium Exclusive: League Pass Premium subscribers get exclusive in-arena streams that replace standard commercials during halftime and game breaks.
🔟 Q: Which devices support streaming these NBA subscription services?
A: The services are widely compatible. You can stream via the NBA app on:
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Mobile: iOS, Android.
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TV/Streaming Devices: Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox One/Series X, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Hisense.
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Consoles: PlayStation 4 and 5 (in select countries).
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Other: VisionOS, Peloton, and through the desktop version of NBA.com.
1️⃣1️⃣ Q: Can I pause or cancel my subscription at any time, and what are the rules?
A: The rules vary by subscription type:
-
Monthly Subscriptions: You can pause or cancel at any time, and the change will take effect at the end of the current billing cycle.
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Season-long / Annual Subscriptions: You generally cannot cancel mid-season. Cancellation is typically limited to opting out of automatic renewal for the following season. Annual subscribers receive an email notification 30 days before the automatic renewal charge.
1️⃣2️⃣ Q: Are there any regional restrictions on subscribing to these services?
A: Yes. In addition to the US/Canada blackout rules, NBA League Pass is sometimes unavailable in regions like Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine. Regional restrictions and blackout rules can vary significantly, impacting the live games accessible to subscribers in different areas.
1️⃣3️⃣ National Broadcast Schedule (2025-2026 Example)
|
Day of the Week |
National Broadcaster |
Key Features |
Required Subscription (Excluding League Pass) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Monday |
Prime Video |
Exclusive doubleheaders. |
Amazon Prime |
|
Tuesday |
Prime Video |
Exclusive doubleheaders. |
Amazon Prime |
|
Wednesday |
ESPN |
Doubleheaders. |
Cable/Sling/Hulu+ Live |
|
Thursday |
Local/Regional |
Generally reserved for non-national games. |
NBA League Pass / Local RSN |
|
Friday |
ESPN / ABC |
Doubleheaders/Marquee Games. |
Cable/Sling/Hulu+ Live |
|
Sunday |
NBC / Peacock |
Major afternoon/evening doubleheaders. |
Peacock |
(Note: Games on these national channels will be blacked out live on NBA League Pass.)