The 2026–27 NBA season tipped off on October 20, with the Celtics visiting the Pistons, LeBron James made his 76ers debut against the Knicks. It is the league’s 81st season and runs until April 11.
The New York Knicks enter the season as reigning champions, after beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the 2026 NBA Finals to win their first title since 1973.
Fans can watch the NBA in Ireland on premium services like NBA League Pass, Amazon Prime and Sky Sports. All these platforms require subscriptions.
In the blog, I’ve also listed some free websites to stream the games. However, you will need a VPN to access free sites and geo-restricted services. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
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When & Where is the NBA 2026-27 Season Happening?
- Date: October 20, 2026 – April 11, 2027 (regular season)
- Venue: NBA arenas across the US & Canada | Global Games in Paris & Manchester.
- Platforms: NBA League Pass, Sky Sports, & Prime Video.
How to Watch NBA in Ireland on NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass is an official NBA service available worldwide, including in Ireland. It offers 24/7 NBA TV access, highlights, replays, news, statistics, and all the happenings of the current NBA season.
It streams most NBA games live in Ireland, while some nationally broadcast games are only shown on Sky Sports or Prime Video. League Pass starts at €19.99/mo, while League Pass Premium (more streams and offline downloads) costs €27.99/mo.
Step 1: Go to the NBA website and click on League Pass.
Step 2: Select your preferred subscription plan.
Step 3: Sign in with your NBA ID or select Don’t Have an NBA ID? to create your NBA account
Step 4: Enter your credentials
Step 5: Add your payment info and subscribe to start streaming
How to Watch the NBA in Ireland For Free
If you’re looking to catch NBA games live without paying for a subscription, there are a few free streaming options available.
Apps like SportzX or RBTV33 offer access to live sports channels; you can sideload their APKs on mobile phones. You can also stream NBA games via free sports websites like viprow.nu/ OR vipleague.pm/ directly through your browser.
However, it’s important to use a trusted VPN while streaming on either platform. Here’s how you can watch the NBA in Ireland for Free on Rapid Streamz:
Step 1: Subscribe to Surfshark VPN App and then connect to any server
Step 2: Download and install the SportzX APK.
Step 3: Open the SportzX app and select NBA.
Step 4: Choose a match
Step 5: Choose a stream and enjoy free live streaming!
2 Ways to Watch the NBA in Ireland
You can watch NBA games in Ireland on the following streaming platforms with a premium subscription.
1. Sky Sports
With the NBA broadcast deal running to 2036, Sky Sports remains the main platform in Ireland for basketball fans, showing up to 130 live regular-season games in the 2026–27 season, alongside Amazon Prime Video.
Coverage includes five games on Christmas Day (starting with Spurs @ Knicks, a rematch of the 2026 Finals), NBA All-Star Weekend, a Conference Finals series and the 2027 NBA Finals, all in HD. Here is a Sky Sports NBA broadcast schedule.
For just €20/month, you can stream NBA games on the Sky Go or Sky Sports app, or watch all the action on NOW with a flexible, cancel-anytime plan offering 12 live Sky Sports channels.
Read More: How to watch Sky Sports in Ireland
2. Prime Video
The NBA is back on Prime Video for its second season, with around 87 regular-season games shown across Europe in primetime slots.
The season’s coverage tips off on October 23 with an exciting doubleheader, Knicks vs. Celtics followed by Rockets vs. Spurs.
You can also enjoy exclusive streaming of the Emirates NBA Cup group-stage doubleheaders and championship game, the NBA Paris & Manchester Games, all six games of the SoFi Play-In Tournament, and the Eastern Conference Finals in May 2027, all available directly on Prime Video.
A Prime membership starting at €6.99/month includes NBA access, while NBA League Pass will be available as an add-on through Prime Video Channels.
Read More: How to Watch Amazon Prime in Ireland
NBA 2026-27 Schedule
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 22 | Milwaukee Bucks @ Washington Wizards | 00:00 |
| Thu, Oct 22 | Atlanta Hawks @ Orlando Magic | 00:00 |
| Thu, Oct 22 | Minnesota Timberwolves @ Miami Heat | 00:30 |
| Thu, Oct 22 | Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets | 01:30 |
| Thu, Oct 22 | Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers | 03:00 |
| Fri, Oct 23 | Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 76ers | 00:00 |
| Fri, Oct 23 | Denver Nuggets @ Oklahoma City Thunder | 02:30 |
| Sat, Oct 24 | Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks | 21:00 |
| Sun, Oct 25 | New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics | 00:00 |
| Sun, Oct 25 | LA Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers | 00:00 |
| Sun, Oct 25 | Miami Heat @ Charlotte Hornets | 23:00 |
| Sun, Oct 25 | Milwaukee Bucks @ Philadelphia 76ers | 23:30 |
| Wed, Oct 28 | Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers | 23:30 |
| Thu, Oct 29 | Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets | 02:00 |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Emirates NBA Cup: Group Stage Opening Games | 23:00 |
| Sun, Nov 1 | Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors | 00:30 |
| Sun, Nov 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves @ San Antonio Spurs | 20:30 |
| Mon, Nov 2 | Phoenix Suns @ LA Clippers | 02:30 |
| Thu, Nov 5 | Golden State Warriors @ Dallas Mavericks | 00:30 |
| Thu, Nov 5 | Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks | 01:00 |
| Fri, Nov 6 | Emirates NBA Cup: Group Stage Matchday 2 | 00:00 |
| Sat, Nov 7 | NBA Mexico City Game: Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers | 22:00 |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Los Angeles Lakers @ New York Knicks | 20:30 |
| Tue, Nov 10 | Philadelphia 76ers @ Oklahoma City Thunder | 01:00 |
NBA 2026-27 Key Dates & Games
Here are the biggest games and dates of the 2026-27 NBA season:
| Date | Game / Event | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2026 | Opening Night: Celtics @ Pistons, 76ers @ Knicks, Thunder @ Spurs | Sky Sports (Celtics @ Pistons on Sky Sports Mix) |
| Oct 23, 2026 | Prime Video opener: Knicks vs. Celtics, Rockets vs. Spurs | Prime Video |
| Oct 30 – Nov 27, 2026 | Emirates NBA Cup group play | Prime Video & Sky Sports |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Black Friday: Heat vs. Knicks, Lakers vs. Spurs | Prime Video |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Emirates NBA Cup Championship | Prime Video |
| Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas Day: Spurs @ Knicks, Heat @ Celtics, 76ers @ Lakers + 2 more | Sky Sports |
| Jan 14 & 17, 2027 | NBA Paris Game (Spurs) & NBA Manchester Game | Prime Video (exclusive) |
| Feb 19–21, 2027 | NBA All-Star Weekend, Phoenix | Sky Sports |
| April 2027 | Play-In Tournament | Prime Video |
| May 2027 | Eastern Conference Finals | Prime Video (exclusive) |
| June 2027 | 2027 NBA Finals | Sky Sports |
NBA Season 2026-27 Team Line-Up
Here’s a list of NBA teams organised by division:
Atlantic Division
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- New York Knicks
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Toronto Raptors
Central Division
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Milwaukee Bucks
Southeast Division
- Atlanta Hawks
- Charlotte Hornets
- Miami Heat
- Orlando Magic
- Washington Wizards
Northwest Division
- Denver Nuggets
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Utah Jazz
Pacific Division
- Golden State Warriors
- LA Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Phoenix Suns
- Sacramento Kings
Southwest Division
- Dallas Mavericks
- Houston Rockets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- New Orleans Pelicans
- San Antonio Spurs
NBA 2026-27 Events
- Regular season begins: October 20, 2026
- Emirates NBA Cup (in-season tournament): October 30 – December 11, 2026
- International regular-season games: Paris: Jan 14, 2027 | Manchester: Jan 17, 2027.
- NBA All-Star Weekend: February 19-21, 2027 (Phoenix)
- Regular season ends: April 11, 2027
- Play-In Tournament: April 2027
- Playoffs & Finals: Post-Play-In, with the NBA Finals in June 2027
Other Sports/Sports Leagues to Watch in Ireland
Here’s a look at the other sporting events that you can watch in Ireland live online with the help of Surfshark:
FAQs – NBA
1. When does the 2026–27 NBA regular season start and end?
The season begins on October 20, 2026, and concludes on April 11, 2027. The in-season tournament, NBA Cup, runs from October 30 to December 11, with the Play-In Tournament in April and the playoffs and NBA Finals to follow.
2. What’s the broadcasting and streaming setup in Ireland this season?
Under the 11-year media rights deal, NBA games in Ireland are shown on Sky Sports and Prime Video, while NBA League Pass covers most games on demand and live. Prime Video also has an exclusive Eastern Conference Finals this season.
3. What is the NBA Cup and how does it affect the season?
The NBA Cup is an in-season tournament held alongside the regular season. Group play runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 27, followed by knockout rounds in early December and the championship game on Dec. 11. It adds mid-season excitement to the schedule.
4. How many games will each team play in the regular season?
Each team plays 82 regular-season games.
5. Where can you watch the NBA in Ireland officially for free?
NBA League Pass officially streams the NBA in Ireland. It is a paid pass, so check the sign-up page for any free trial or discount available. You can also watch the league with a free trial of Prime Video.
6. Can I watch games offline?
Yes, NBA League Pass Premium subscribers can download games for offline viewing on their devices.
7. Who won the 2026 NBA Finals?
The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA championship since 1973.
Closing Words
The 2026-27 NBA season kicked off on October 20, with the reigning champion New York Knicks hosting LeBron James’ new-look 76ers. The season runs until April 11, 2027, with the NBA Finals in June 2027.
Fans can watch the NBA in Ireland on premium services like NBA League Pass, Prime Video, & Sky Sports. I have also added a free method for live streaming.
Using a VPN such as Surfshark is advised to unblock these geo-restricted services & stream via free websites in Ireland.
