Last updated: 8 May 2026 · All four NBA Round 2 series are underway. The Conference Semifinals run through mid-May with Conference Finals to follow. The NBA Finals start Thursday 4 June at 10:30am AEST — the most Australian-friendly window of any major US sports championship.
If you’re an NBA fan in Australia, you’ve got more ways to watch than ever — but also more platforms to juggle. Here’s the complete, no-nonsense guide for the rest of the 2026 playoffs and the regular season beyond.
On this page
- The short answer — where to watch NBA in Australia
- Platform comparison table
- Kayo Sports — the easiest option
- NBA League Pass — every game
- Disney+ — new for 2026
- 2026 Round 2 broadcast breakdown
- NBA Finals 2026 schedule (AEST)
- Which subscription is best for you?
- FAQ
The short answer — where to watch NBA in Australia
For Australian fans there are four main ways to watch NBA games in 2026:
- Kayo Sports — selected nationally televised games (ESPN/ABC broadcasts)
- ESPN Australia — same content as Kayo, available on Foxtel
- NBA League Pass — every game, every team, all season (the only way to watch NBC and TNT games live)
- Disney+ — every ESPN NBA game included with subscription (new for 2026)
Most casual fans are best served by Kayo or Disney+. Hardcore fans wanting every single game with full team-radio audio and broadcast options should go straight to League Pass.
Platform comparison — at a glance
| Platform | Cost | Games covered | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kayo Sports | From $35/mo | All ESPN/ABC games + NBA Finals | 7 days |
| NBA League Pass | ~$229/year or $32.99/mo | Every regular season & playoff game | 7 days |
| Disney+ | $14–$18/mo | Every ESPN NBA game | No |
| Prime Video | $9.99/mo | Selected playoff games | 30 days |
| ESPN Australia (Foxtel) | ~$51/mo (sports pkg) | Same as Kayo | No |
Try Kayo Sports free for 7 days
Watch every ESPN and ABC NBA game including the NBA Finals starting 4 June.Start free Kayo trial →
Kayo Sports — the easiest option for Australian NBA fans
Kayo Sports broadcasts every NBA game that airs on ESPN, ABC or NBA TV in the United States. That includes most playoff games and every NBA Finals game.
- Cost: From around $35 AUD per month for the Basic plan
- What you get: Every ESPN/ABC NBA broadcast live, plus replays and highlights
- Best for: Casual fans who want the big games without juggling subscriptions
- Limitations: No NBC, TNT or NBA League Pass exclusives
If you only have time for one subscription, Kayo is the strongest all-rounder because it also covers NHL, MLB, NFL and Australian sports. Read about watching NHL in Australia and watching MLB in Australia for the full picture.
NBA League Pass — every game, every team
For diehards, NBA League Pass remains the gold standard. It carries every regular season and playoff game live, plus replays, classics and multiple commentary options. Critically, it’s also the only way for Australian fans to watch NBC and TNT broadcast games live — including the entire 2026 Lakers vs Thunder series and the West Conference Finals.
- Cost: Around $229 AUD for the full season pass, or $32.99/month
- What you get: Every NBA game, multiple feeds, full-game replays, condensed games, NBA TV
- Best for: Single-team fans, fans who want NBC/TNT games live
- Limitation: Some nationally televised games may have local blackouts in the US — these are rare for Australian users
If you support the Spurs, Thunder, Magic or any other team that doesn’t headline ESPN broadcasts every week, League Pass is essential.
Disney+ — a game changer for 2026
New for the 2026 season, Disney+ Australia carries every ESPN NBA game as part of a standard subscription via the Disney/ESPN streaming partnership. If you already have Disney+ for movies and shows, you’re effectively already paying for NBA coverage.
- Cost: Around $14–$18 AUD per month depending on plan
- What you get: Live NBA games during the regular season and playoffs
- Best for: Households already subscribing to Disney+ for entertainment
NBA Round 2 2026 — broadcast breakdown by series
The 2026 Conference Semifinals are split across three platforms in Australia. Eastern Conference series are on ESPN/ABC and available on multiple platforms. The Western series are split between TNT and NBC, with NBC games requiring NBA League Pass for Australian viewers.
| Series | US Broadcast | Australian Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| (3) Knicks vs (7) 76ers | ESPN | Kayo / Disney+ / ESPN Australia / League Pass |
| (1) Pistons vs (4) Cavaliers | ESPN | Kayo / Disney+ / ESPN Australia / League Pass |
| (2) Spurs vs (6) Wolves | TNT | Disney+ / League Pass |
| (1) Thunder vs (4) Lakers | NBC | NBA League Pass only |
Important for Australian fans: NBC and Peacock are not available in Australia. Lakers vs Thunder is on NBC in the US, which means NBA League Pass is your only way to watch the entire series live. Kayo, Disney+ and ESPN Australia do not carry NBC games.
For the full Round 2 schedule with every game and AEST tipoff time, see our NBA Playoffs 2026 Australia hub.
What’s coming next
- Conference Finals (mid–late May 2026): East on ABC/ESPN (Kayo, Disney+, ESPN Australia, League Pass), West on NBC (League Pass only).
- NBA Finals (4 June onwards): ABC broadcast in the US — every Finals game available on Kayo, ESPN Australia, Disney+ and NBA League Pass.
NBA Finals 2026 — Australian broadcast details
The 2026 NBA Finals begin Thursday 4 June (AEST). Tipoffs are 10:30am AEST for most games — perfect timing for Australian fans to catch live before work or during a break.
| Game | Date (AEST) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Thu 4 June 2026 | 10:30am |
| Game 2 | Sat 6 June 2026 | 10:30am |
| Game 3 | Tue 9 June 2026 | 10:30am |
| Game 4 | Thu 11 June 2026 | 10:30am |
| Games 5–7 (if needed) | mid-late June 2026 | 10:30am |
All NBA Finals games air on ABC in the US — that translates to Kayo Sports, ESPN Australia, Disney+ and NBA League Pass for Australian viewers.
Which subscription is best for you?
- Casual fan, just wants the big games: Kayo Sports
- Already have Disney+, want NBA included: Disney+ alone is enough for ESPN games
- Diehard fan wanting every game: NBA League Pass + Kayo for blackout-free coverage
- NBA Finals only: Kayo Sports — cheapest path with a 7-day free trial
- Lakers vs Thunder live: NBA League Pass (NBC games not on Kayo)
- Spurs vs Wolves live: Disney+ or NBA League Pass (TNT not on Kayo)
FAQ — your questions answered
Is the NBA on free-to-air TV in Australia?
No. There is no NBA coverage on Australian free-to-air TV in 2026. Every game requires a paid subscription to Kayo, Disney+, NBA League Pass or ESPN Australia.
What time are NBA games in Australia?
Most evening US games tip off between 9:00am and 12:30pm AEST the following day. NBA Finals games are at 10:30am AEST. West coast games tip off around midday AEST.
Can I watch NBA on Kayo in Australia?
Yes — Kayo carries every ESPN and ABC NBA broadcast including all NBA Finals games. NBC, TNT and Peacock games are not on Kayo and require NBA League Pass.
How much is NBA League Pass in Australia?
NBA League Pass is around $229 AUD for a full annual pass or $32.99 per month. It includes every regular season and playoff game with no Australian blackouts. It’s the only way to watch the entire Lakers vs Thunder series live.
Is NBA on Disney+ in Australia?
Yes. As of the 2025-26 season, Disney+ Australia carries every ESPN NBA broadcast as part of a standard subscription, including all NBA Finals games. Disney+ also covers TNT games (such as Spurs vs Wolves) for Australian subscribers.
Is Peacock available in Australia for NBA games?
No. Peacock is not available in Australia. Any NBA game broadcast on NBC or Peacock in the US requires NBA League Pass for Australian viewers.
When do the NBA Finals 2026 start?
NBA Finals 2026 Game 1 tips off Thursday 4 June at 10:30am AEST. The series runs through mid-June with Games 5-7 only if needed.
Watch every NBA game live in Australia
NBA League Pass — every game, every team, no blackouts. Includes the entire Lakers vs Thunder series. 7-day free trial.Get NBA League Pass →
What’s next?
- Live US Sports TV Guide — every game with AEST times and live scores
- NBA Playoffs 2026 Australia hub — bracket, schedule and current results
- NBA Round 2 Game 1 Wrap — Wolves shock Spurs in San Antonio
- Celtics Eliminated by 76ers in Game 7
All times shown in AEST (Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane). Subscription prices accurate as of May 2026 and subject to change. Mac Johannson covers US sports for Australian fans, with a focus on AEST schedules, streaming options and playoff coverage.
