How to watch the 2026 NBA Summer League

The NBA Summer League gives fans an early opportunity to watch the league’s newest rookies, developing players and other prospects compete before the regular season begins.

The 2026 Las Vegas NBA Summer League takes place from July 9–19, with all 30 NBA teams playing at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.

This guide covers the tournament format, key dates, TV channels and streaming options, along with where to find the latest game times and broadcast information.

The Las Vegas event is the largest of the NBA’s summer competitions and brings together rookies, second-year players, G League players and other prospects competing for roster opportunities.

What is the NBA Summer League format?

Each team plays four games between July 9 and July 16. The four teams with the best records after those games advance to the semifinals on July 18.

The winners of the two semifinals meet in the championship game on July 19. The other 26 teams each play an additional consolation game between July 17 and July 19, meaning every team is guaranteed at least five games.

Records from the first four games determine which teams advance. Tiebreakers can include head-to-head results, point differential, total points scored and, if necessary, a random drawing.

How are NBA Summer League rules different?

Most regular NBA rules still apply, but there are several differences designed for the Summer League format:

• Games have four 10-minute quarters instead of four 12-minute quarters.
• Players can commit up to 10 personal fouls before fouling out during preliminary and consolation games.
• The foul limit returns to six for the semifinals and championship game.
• The first overtime period lasts two minutes.
• A second overtime period is sudden death, with the first team to score winning the game.
• In most situations, a foul results in one free throw worth one, two or three points, depending on the type of foul.

Standard NBA free-throw rules apply during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and throughout overtime.

Where to watch the 2026 NBA Summer League

All 76 games from the 2026 Las Vegas NBA Summer League are shown live on either Prime Video or ESPN platforms.

ESPN’s coverage is spread across:

• ESPN
• ESPN2
• ESPNU
• ESPN Select

Prime Video carries the other half of the tournament’s games, including both semifinals on July 18. The championship game on July 19 is shown on ESPN.

Because the channel or streaming service varies from game to game, check the NBA Summer League TV and streaming schedule on Livesportsontv.com for updated start times and broadcast information.

Can I stream the 2026 NBA Summer League?

Yes. Every NBA Summer League game is available through a streaming option, although the required service depends on which broadcaster is carrying the game.

Games assigned to Prime Video can be streamed with access to Prime Video. ESPN games may be available through ESPN Select, the ESPN app or a live TV streaming service that includes the relevant ESPN channel.

No single broadcaster carries every game. Viewers who want access to the entire tournament will therefore need access to both Prime Video and the relevant ESPN platforms.

2026 NBA Summer League schedule

The Las Vegas NBA Summer League runs for 11 days from July 9 through July 19.

The main stages of the tournament are:

• July 9–16: Each team plays its first four games.
• July 17–19: Consolation games for teams that do not reach the semifinals.
• July 18: Both semifinals, live on Prime Video.
• July 19: Championship game, live on ESPN.

Games take place throughout the afternoon and evening, with several games often being played on the same day. Start times and broadcast platforms vary, so use the upcoming NBA games on TV schedule to find the latest information for each game.

Keep up with the NBA Summer League on LiveSportsOnTV.com

With games divided between several ESPN platforms and Prime Video, it may not always be immediately clear where a particular Summer League game is being shown.

LiveSportsOnTV.com brings upcoming game times, TV channels and streaming information together in one place. Visit our NBA schedule before tipoff to see where each Summer League game is available to watch in the United States.