What is the NBA Preseason? Does it count toward the 82-game season?

The 2026 NBA Preseason started on Oct. 4, 2026, ahead of the 2026-27 regular season, which tips off on Oct. 21 (All dates are in Philippine time). Preseason games are like exhibition games, so they do not count toward the 82-game regular season or the official standings.

This covers what the NBA preseason is, when it started, where international preseason games are being played, and what comes next on the league calendar.

What is the NBA Preseason?

The NBA Preseason is a set of games played before the regular season. Teams use these matches to prepare, test lineups, and evaluate players, since the results do not affect the official standings.

The preseason sits between training camp and opening night. After weeks of practice, preseason games give teams their first chance to play against opponents in arenas, with officials and fans.

Because the preseason standings are counted separately, coaching staffs often spread playing time across more of the roster and try new combinations before the regular season.

The preseason is also usually the last stage of roster building. Teams must finalize their rosters before the regular season starts, so the games give players another opportunity to show what they can contribute.

When did the 2026 NBA Preseason start?

The 2026 NBA Preseason began on Oct. 4, 2026. Training camps opened on Sept. 30 for most teams and on Sept. 22 for teams playing games outside North America.

Media day, which is when teams hold interviews and photo sessions before camp, took place on Sept. 28 for most of the league.

The preseason runs until before opening night. Teams must set their rosters by Oct. 20, one day before the 2026-27 regular season begins.

Source: NBA.com

Do NBA Preseason games count toward the 82-game regular season?

No. Preseason games are exhibition games, so their results do not count toward a team’s 82-game regular-season record or the official standings. Every NBA team still plays a full 82-game regular season after the preseason ends.

The NBA keeps preseason results separate from the regular season. NBA.com lists preseason schedules and standings on their own pages, apart from the regular-season standings that decide playoff seeding.

The Emirates NBA Cup works differently. Cup games are built into the regular-season schedule, so they count toward each team’s record and the official standings. The one exception is the NBA Cup Championship, which is played outside the 82-game regular season and does not count toward the standings.

Source: NBA.com

Where are NBA Preseason games played outside the United States in 2026?

The 2026 NBA preseason includes games in Canada and China.

Matches were scheduled at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City on Oct. 4 and at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Oct. 11. Games were also played at The Venetian Arena in Macao on Oct. 10 and 12.

Source: NBA.com

What else happens during the NBA Preseason?

Beyond games, the preseason covers training camps and team media days. In 2026, the NBA is also testing a smart basketball with a built-in sensor and wrist wearables for referees in selected preseason matches.

According to the league, the smart basketball has a Bluetooth sensor which can collect data for future real-time officiating decisions. But for the preseason, the balls will solely be for research and not impact calls during the games where they are used.

The wrist wearables, meanwhile, will be used for communication for replays, scoring changes, and disruptions in the game clock. The NBA said, however, that they will not be used in the regular season.

Source: The Associated Press, via NBA.com

What comes after the NBA Preseason?

After the preseason, teams set their lineup by Oct. 20, and the 2026-27 regular season begins on Oct. 21. Emirates NBA Cup Group Play starts on Oct. 31, and the regular season ends on April 12, 2027.

The key dates after the preseason are:

• Oct. 20, 2026: Rosters set
• Oct. 21, 2026: Regular season begins
• Oct. 31, 2026: Emirates NBA Cup Group Play begins
• Dec. 12, 2026: Emirates NBA Cup Championship
• April 12, 2027: Regular season ends, with all 30 teams in action

Source: NBA.com

Frequently asked questions

Are NBA Preseason games official games?

They are official NBA games, but their results do not count toward the regular-season standings.

How many games are in the NBA regular season?

Each NBA team plays 82 games in the regular season.

Does the Emirates NBA Cup count toward the regular season?

Yes, except for the Championship game, which is played outside the 82-game regular season.

When does the 2026-27 NBA regular season start?

The regular season begins on Oct. 21, 2026.

When does the 2026-27 NBA regular season end?

The regular season ends on April 12, 2027, with all 30 teams playing that day. 

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