Where to watch NBA games depends on the country, the selected matchup and whether the game has national or local rights. The league now divides major games among television networks, streaming services and NBA League Pass. As a result, one subscription does not always carry every live game.
ForeverWatch’s sports streaming sites guide can help readers compare services that cover several competitions. Those moving away from cable can also explore ways to watch live TV through official streaming packages.
This guide focuses on 12 countries with established NBA audiences, strong basketball cultures, prominent players or dedicated media agreements. The listed arrangements reflect the rights structure entering the 2026-27 season.
Last Updated: July 2026
Where to Watch NBA by Country
The table separates standard television coverage from the service that offers the widest game selection. Schedules can still change because the NBA divides regular-season games, the NBA Cup, Play-In Tournament, playoffs and Finals into different packages.
North America
| Country | Main broadcasters and platforms | Broadest access | Regular free coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, NBA TV and local team broadcasters | National services plus a local provider; League Pass for out-of-market games | Selected games on ABC and NBC |
| Canada | TSN, Sportsnet, NBA TV Canada, Prime Video and NBA League Pass | TSN, Sportsnet, Prime Video and League Pass together | No complete free package |
| Mexico | Prime Video, ESPN, Disney+ and NBA League Pass | League Pass plus Prime Video for its exclusive package | No regular season-long free package |
Europe
| Country | Main broadcasters and platforms | Broadest access | Regular free coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Prime Video, Sky Sports, NOW and NBA League Pass | League Pass plus Prime Video or Sky Sports | No regular season-long free package |
| France | beIN Sports, Prime Video and NBA League Pass | League Pass with beIN Sports and Prime Video | No regular season-long free package |
| Spain | DAZN, Prime Video and NBA League Pass | League Pass with DAZN and Prime Video | No regular season-long free package |
| Germany | Prime Video, Sky Sports and NBA League Pass | League Pass plus Prime Video | No regular season-long free package |
Asia-Pacific and South America
| Country | Main broadcasters and platforms | Broadest access | Regular free coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Tencent Sports, Migu, CCTV and regional sports channels | Tencent Sports and other licensed local platforms | Selected CCTV coverage may be available |
| Philippines | NBA TV Philippines, One Sports, TV5, Pilipinas Live, Prime Video and NBA League Pass | League Pass plus local Cignal services | Selected games on One Sports or TV5 |
| Australia | ESPN, Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, Prime Video and NBA League Pass | League Pass with ESPN and Prime Video | No regular season-long free package |
| Japan | Prime Video and NBA League Pass | League Pass for the full schedule; Prime Video for its included package | No regular season-long free package |
| Brazil | Prime Video, ESPN, Disney+ and NBA League Pass | League Pass with Prime Video and Disney+ | Selected free broadcasts may be announced |
Why These Countries Were Selected
The United States and Canada are the league’s home markets. China and the Philippines have two of the NBA’s largest and most active international audiences, while Australia has a strong basketball system and a growing list of NBA players.
France, Spain and Germany combine successful national programs with prominent NBA talent. The UK receives dedicated Sky and Prime Video coverage, while Japan has built greater interest around Japanese players and local-language broadcasts.
Brazil and Mexico complete the list because both have established basketball audiences and expanded Prime Video packages. This approach keeps the article centred on markets with clear NBA demand.
How NBA Broadcast Rights Work
The NBA uses separate national, local and international agreements. In the US, national games appear across ABC and ESPN, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video. Individual teams also sell local rights for games that do not form part of a national package.
The NBA’s 11-year media agreements began with the 2025-26 season. ABC remains the US home of the NBA Finals. NBC and Peacock carry regular-season games, All-Star Weekend and playoff coverage, while Prime Video carries its own regular-season and postseason package.
International rights differ. Prime Video operates globally but has an expanded package in selected countries. Other broadcasters, including Sky Sports, beIN Sports, DAZN, ESPN and Tencent, continue to serve important regional markets.
Where to Watch NBA in the United States
US viewers need more than one service for complete national coverage. ABC and ESPN carry regular-season games, Christmas Day, selected playoff rounds and every NBA Finals. NBC and Peacock show Monday, Tuesday and Sunday packages, along with All-Star Weekend.
Prime Video carries Thursday, Friday and selected Saturday games. It also shows the NBA Cup knockout rounds, the Play-In Tournament and part of the playoffs. The NBA’s viewing guide explains how the three national packages divide the schedule.
NBA League Pass covers out-of-market games, but national and local blackouts apply. Fans following a nearby team may also need that team’s regional channel or direct streaming service. Readers comparing American sports packages may find where to watch NFL useful.
Where to Watch NBA in Canada
TSN and Sportsnet divide national coverage and Toronto Raptors games. Their streaming services provide access without a traditional cable package, while NBA TV Canada adds selected games and league programming.
Prime Video’s Canadian NBA rights begin with the 2026-27 season. Meanwhile, NBA League Pass remains the broad option for games outside local and national restrictions. However, Raptors and nationally selected games may still require TSN, Sportsnet or Prime Video.
Where to Watch NBA in Mexico
Prime Video carries an expanded Mexican package with regular-season games and selected postseason rounds. ESPN also distributes NBA coverage through its Latin American channels and Disney+.
NBA League Pass provides the widest team-by-team schedule. Prime Video or Disney+ may still be necessary when a game falls under an exclusive local package. Viewers should confirm the platform shown beside each game in the NBA App.
Where to Watch NBA in the United Kingdom
Prime Video carries a large package of regular-season games, the NBA Cup knockout stage, the Play-In Tournament and selected playoff rounds. The exact Finals allocation changes by season.
Sky Sports also carries NBA games in the UK, with streaming through Sky Go and NOW. NBA League Pass provides live and on-demand access across the broader schedule. The official UK League Pass guide states that its UK plans do not use game blackouts.
Where to Watch NBA in France
beIN Sports remains a major French NBA broadcaster. Its renewed agreement includes up to nine regular-season games each week, Summer League, Christmas Day, All-Star events and selected postseason coverage.
The beIN renewal operates alongside Prime Video’s expanded French package. NBA League Pass adds the broader team schedule, although viewers should check for event-specific restrictions.
Where to Watch NBA in Spain
DAZN and Prime Video replaced the long-running Movistar arrangement from the 2025-26 season. DAZN carries a large regular-season package, All-Star Weekend and selected playoff rounds.
Prime Video has its own live games, NBA Cup coverage, the Play-In Tournament and postseason rights. NBA League Pass remains available for broader access. Since Finals rights can alternate, the season’s published schedule should decide which service is required.
Where to Watch NBA in Germany
Prime Video is the central German broadcaster under the current rights structure. Its expanded package includes regular-season games, European primetime selections, the NBA Cup and parts of the postseason.
The German Prime Video guide also confirms NBA League Pass as an add-on for the wider schedule. Sky Sports carries an additional selection, but Prime Video and League Pass offer the clearest starting point.
Where to Watch NBA in China
Tencent Sports remains the main digital home of the NBA in mainland China. Migu, CCTV and regional sports broadcasters may also carry licensed games or selected events.
Prime Video’s international live package excludes Greater China. Therefore, Chinese viewers should rely on confirmed domestic platforms rather than assuming that a global Prime subscription includes NBA games.
Where to Watch NBA in the Philippines
NBA TV Philippines provides dedicated coverage through Cignal TV. One Sports and TV5 carry selected games on free television, while Pilipinas Live supplies an official streaming route.
In addition, NBA League Pass offers the widest game library, including live games, replays and archives. Prime Video also carries its international package in the Philippines. The local channel schedule still matters for viewers seeking Filipino commentary or free coverage.
Where to Watch NBA in Australia
ESPN remains a major Australian NBA broadcaster. Viewers can receive its channels through Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports and Fetch TV. Prime Video carries a separate package of regular-season and postseason games.
NBA League Pass provides the broadest team coverage. A combination may be necessary for exclusive games. Australian viewers comparing Kayo and Foxtel for other sports can also check where to watch Formula 1.
Where to Watch NBA in Japan
Prime Video carries live NBA games in Japan as part of the global agreement. Its package includes regular-season matchups, the NBA Cup, the Play-In Tournament and selected playoff rounds.
NBA League Pass is also available directly and through Prime Video as an additional subscription. The Japanese Prime Video schedule confirms that League Pass provides access beyond the games included with Prime membership.
Where to Watch NBA in Brazil
Prime Video has an expanded Brazilian package covering regular-season games and major postseason events. ESPN also carries games, with online access through Disney+.
NBA League Pass provides the widest schedule for viewers following a particular team. Free television arrangements may appear for selected events, but they should not be treated as a guaranteed full-season option.
Can NBA League Pass Show Every Game?
League Pass offers live and on-demand regular-season games, NBA TV, condensed games and archived coverage. Premium plans can add more simultaneous streams, offline downloads and commercial-free viewing.
The important limitation is location. US subscribers cannot use League Pass to watch national games live on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock or Prime Video. Local-team blackouts can also apply. Those games usually become available as replays after the blackout window.
Restrictions are often lighter outside North America. However, an international broadcaster may hold exclusive rights to selected games or events. The game page in the NBA App provides the safest final check.
Can NBA Games Be Watched for Free?
Free access exists, but no country in this guide has a reliable free route to every game. In the US, ABC and NBC show selected national games over the air. An antenna can receive those channels where local signals are available.
The Philippines offers selected games through One Sports and TV5. China may provide some coverage through CCTV, while occasional free broadcasts can appear in Brazil. Highlights are also available through the NBA’s official website, app, YouTube channel and social accounts.
Free trials and promotional access can change. They should not be treated as permanent viewing options.
How to Watch the NBA Playoffs and Finals
Postseason rights do not always follow the regular-season schedule. In the US, ABC and ESPN, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video divide the early playoff rounds. ABC retains every NBA Finals under the current US agreement.
Prime Video carries the full Play-In Tournament and part of the playoffs in many international markets. Its expanded territories receive additional postseason games, but Finals coverage rotates in some countries.
League Pass availability also depends on location. International plans may show the playoffs live, while US national blackouts remain in force. Checking the published playoff schedule prevents the most common subscription mistake.
FAQs About Watching NBA Games
Does One Subscription Carry Every NBA Game?
Usually not. US viewers need national and local services, while international viewers may need League Pass plus a broadcaster that holds exclusive games.
Is NBA League Pass Available Worldwide?
League Pass operates in many countries, but it is not identical everywhere. Plan availability, pricing, language feeds and blackout rules can differ.
Are All NBA Games on Prime Video?
No. Prime Video owns a major package, but it does not carry every regular-season game. League Pass and regional broadcasters cover the remaining schedule.
Where Are the NBA Finals Shown in the US?
ABC remains the exclusive US broadcaster of the NBA Finals throughout the current long-term media agreement.
Can League Pass Be Used to Watch a Local US Team?
Live local games may be blacked out inside the team’s broadcast territory. A regional sports network or team streaming service may be required.
Does League Pass Include Replays?
Yes. It includes full-game replays, condensed games and an archive. Blacked-out games become available after the relevant delay.
Can Viewers Choose Home and Away Commentary?
League Pass commonly provides home and away broadcasts. Language options and alternate feeds depend on the game and country.
Does Prime Membership Include NBA League Pass?
No. Games in the standard Prime Video NBA package are included with Prime where available. League Pass remains a separate add-on subscription.
Are NBA Cup Games on the Same Services?
Not always. Prime Video holds the NBA Cup knockout rounds under the current global agreement, while group-stage games can appear across several platforms.
Can an NBA Subscription Be Used While Travelling?
Access changes according to the viewer’s physical location. A service may show a different catalogue or block a game when the user enters another rights territory.
Final Thoughts
The NBA’s current media structure gives viewers more legal streaming choices, but it also divides important games among several services. The US has the most complex setup because national and local rights operate separately.
International viewers can often begin with NBA League Pass. Prime Video, Sky Sports, beIN Sports, DAZN, ESPN, Tencent and local channels then fill country-specific gaps.
Every viewer should check the NBA App and local schedule before subscribing. That final check confirms where to watch NBA games in the correct country without paying for a service that lacks the required matchup.
