The TV Guide widget confirms which games are on Kayo, Disney+ or League Pass-only every day.
Last updated: 20 October 2026
The 2026-27 NBA regular season tips off Wednesday 21 October AEDT (Tuesday 20 October US time). Opening Night brings three games — Pistons at Celtics, then LeBron James’s 76ers debut against the Knicks in Philadelphia, then Thunder at Spurs. The question for Australian fans is the same one it’s been every year: Kayo, Disney+ or NBA League Pass. Here is where every NBA game actually goes in Australia for 2026-27, what each platform costs, and how to choose between them.
On this page
- The short answer — where to watch NBA in Australia
- Platform comparison — at a glance
- ESPN via Kayo — the easiest option
- ESPN via Disney+ — the cheapest ESPN
- NBA League Pass — every single game
- Australians in the 2026-27 NBA
- Which subscription is best for you?
- FAQ
The short answer — where to watch NBA in Australia
ESPN holds the main Australian broadcast rights for the NBA. Those games reach you via Kayo Sports or Disney+ — same ESPN feed, two different ways to pay. ESPN carries around seven live NBA games per week, including Opening Night, Christmas Day, the Cup Finals, the All-Star Weekend, the Playoffs and the NBA Finals.
For every other game — the Bulls on a Tuesday, the Spurs on a Saturday, the dozens of games ESPN doesn’t carry — you need NBA League Pass. It is the only way to watch every game in the league.
No NBA games are on free-to-air TV in Australia. Peacock, which carries select US NBA games, is not available in Australia — those games fall to League Pass only here.
Platform comparison — at a glance
| Platform | What you get | Starts at | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN via Kayo | ~7 marquee games/week, Finals, Christmas Day, plus NFL, MLB, NHL, WNBA, UFC | $29.99/mo | All-sports households |
| ESPN via Disney+ | Same ESPN NBA games as Kayo, bundled with Disney+ library | $9.99/mo (with ads) | Cheapest ESPN access |
| NBA League Pass | Every regular-season game (no Finals), every team | $24.99/mo | Fans of a non-ESPN team |
| League Pass Team Pass | Every game your chosen team plays | $21.99/mo | Following a single team |
Prices in AUD, checked October 2026. Finals and Christmas Day games are blacked out on League Pass internationally — you need an ESPN subscription for those.
Every ESPN NBA broadcast, the Christmas Day lineup, the Playoffs and the Finals — plus NFL, MLB, UFC and more. $29.99 per month after the trial.
ESPN via Kayo — the easiest option
Kayo Sports carries the ESPN NBA feed in Australia. Everything ESPN broadcasts in the US — Opening Night, LeBron’s 76ers debut, Christmas Day, the Cup Finals, the Playoffs and the Finals — appears on Kayo. ESPN averages around seven NBA games per week through the regular season, including the matchups you’ve seen on NBA League Pass previews.
Kayo lists NBA games on its daily tiles with the home vs away format flipped from Kayo’s native listing. Marquee games get the full ESPN production including NBA Today, SportsCenter, First Take and Inside the NBA. The Australian studio show Nothing But Net provides the local wrap.
Kayo pricing (AUD, October 2026):
- Standard — $29.99/mo — one screen, HD
- Premium — $45.99/mo ($1 first month) — two screens, 4K
Kayo is the right pick if you already watch other US sports — NFL, MLB, UFC, NHL — or AFL/NRL. The NBA ESPN package is included at no extra cost.
ESPN via Disney+ — the cheapest ESPN
Disney+ added ESPN in Australia in 2026 and now carries the same ESPN NBA games as Kayo. Same feed, same commentary, same seven-games-a-week — on your existing Disney+ subscription. If you only want the NBA (and the rest of the Disney+ catalogue), Disney+ is now the cheapest route to ESPN basketball.
Disney+ pricing (AUD, October 2026):
- Standard with Ads — $9.99/mo — the cheapest option that includes ESPN
- Standard — $17.99/mo
- Premium — $24.99/mo — 4K
Annual plans are discounted — Disney+ has run promotions through October. Check their site for the current offer before committing month-to-month.
Kayo vs Disney+ for NBA: same games, same ESPN feed. Disney+ is cheaper if you want ESPN alone. Kayo makes more sense if you watch NFL, MLB, UFC or Australian codes alongside it. There is also one state the TV Guide widget flags — occasionally a game is on Disney+ only (in the live rail) and not on the Kayo carousel. Those are rare but real; the widget calls them out when they happen.
NBA League Pass — every single game
ESPN carries roughly seven games a week. The NBA plays close to 100 games a week at peak. For everything else — the Bulls on a Tuesday night, the Spurs on a Saturday, your favourite team’s whole season — the answer is NBA League Pass.
League Pass pricing (AUD, October 2026):
- Standard — $174.99/season or $24.99/mo — with commercials, one device
- Premium — $244.99/season or $34.99/mo — no commercials, up to three devices
- Team Pass — $21.99/mo — one team only, every game they play
What League Pass gives you: every regular-season game, home and away, live or on demand. Multi-game viewing. Pick-your-feed (home or away commentary). Classic games. Access to NBA TV.
What League Pass does NOT give you: the NBA Finals (ESPN exclusive), the Christmas Day slate (ESPN exclusive internationally), and games your local team is “blacked out” on — though Australia has no local-team blackouts, so this is mostly a US issue.
If you follow one specific team — a Lakers fan, a Celtics fan, a Pistons fan — Team Pass at $21.99/mo is the sharpest-price option in the whole NBA market. Every game of your team, no ESPN subscription required (except the Finals if they get there).
NBA League Pass — every regular-season game, every team, live or on demand. 7-day free trial.
Australians in the 2026-27 NBA
Eleven Australians across ten teams. ESPN and ABC carry 37 Australian fixtures across 28 dates — the Lakers (Matisse Thybulle, 13 fixtures) and Timberwolves (Rocco Zikarsky, 11) get the most ESPN exposure. For every other Aussie’s game on a given night, you’ll need League Pass or Team Pass.
| Player | Team | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Dyson Daniels | Atlanta Hawks | League Pass; selected on ESPN (Kayo/Disney+) |
| Jock Landale | Atlanta Hawks | League Pass; selected on ESPN |
| Josh Giddey | Chicago Bulls | League Pass primarily (1 ESPN fixture) |
| Tyrese Proctor | Cleveland Cavaliers | League Pass; selected on ESPN |
| Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks | League Pass; regular ESPN fixtures |
| Johnny Furphy | Indiana Pacers | League Pass (1 ESPN); ACL recovery, availability TBC |
| Matisse Thybulle | LA Lakers | 13 ESPN fixtures + League Pass |
| Rocco Zikarsky | Minnesota Timberwolves | 11 ESPN fixtures + League Pass (two-way contract) |
| Duop Reath | Phoenix Suns | League Pass; selected on ESPN |
| Ben Simmons | Sacramento Kings | League Pass; recent injury reports — status TBC |
| Josh Green | Utah Jazz | League Pass primarily |
If you want to follow one specific Australian all season, NBA League Pass Team Pass ($21.99/mo) for their club is the cheapest and most complete option.
Which subscription is best for you?
You want the big games only (Opening Night, Christmas Day, LeBron, Finals):
→ Disney+ Standard with Ads ($9.99/mo). Cheapest route to ESPN. Same feed as Kayo. The seven ESPN games a week is enough for a casual fan.
You watch other US sports or Australian codes too:
→ Kayo Sports Standard ($29.99/mo). ESPN NBA plus NFL, MLB, UFC, NHL, A-League, NBL and more. Still the best all-sports value in Australia.
You follow one specific team all season:
→ League Pass Team Pass ($21.99/mo). Every game your team plays, home and away.
You want every game in the league, every night:
→ League Pass Premium ($34.99/mo or $244.99/season). The complete package. Still misses the Finals and Christmas Day — pair with Disney+ for those.
You want absolutely everything:
→ Kayo + League Pass. Around $55-65/mo together. Covers every game, every broadcast, every studio show. Overkill for most people but the complete setup for the hardcore fan.
FAQ
Is the NBA on free-to-air TV in Australia?
No. Not for the regular season, not for the Playoffs, not for the Finals. You need either Kayo, Disney+ or NBA League Pass.
What time do NBA games tip off in Australia?
Most games tip off between 9am and 2pm AEDT the following day — US evening games land in the Australian morning. Christmas Day games and Opening Night start a little earlier (around 6-7am AEDT) because of US afternoon tip-offs. For exact AEST times each day, check our live TV Guide — it is updated daily.
Can I watch NBA on Kayo in Australia?
Yes. Kayo carries the ESPN NBA feed — around seven games a week, including Opening Night, LeBron’s 76ers debut, Christmas Day, the Cup Finals, the Playoffs and the Finals.
How much is NBA League Pass in Australia?
$174.99 for the Standard season pass, $244.99 for Premium. Monthly rates are $24.99 (Standard) and $34.99 (Premium). Team Pass — one team only — is $21.99/mo.
Is NBA on Disney+ in Australia?
Yes. Disney+ added ESPN in Australia in 2026 and now carries the same ESPN NBA games as Kayo. Standard with Ads ($9.99/mo) is the cheapest route to ESPN basketball.
Is Peacock available in Australia for NBA games?
No. Peacock does not operate in Australia. Games the NBA sells to Peacock in the US fall back to NBA League Pass in Australia.
When does the 2026-27 NBA season start?
Opening Night is Tuesday 20 October US time — Wednesday 21 October AEDT. Three games on the opening slate: Pistons at Celtics, LeBron’s 76ers debut against the Knicks, and Thunder at Spurs.
Do I need a VPN to watch the NBA in Australia?
No. All three legitimate services — Kayo, Disney+ and NBA League Pass — operate in Australia and licence the content for Australian viewers. Using a VPN to access US services like Peacock breaches those services’ terms.
One email per day at 7:00pm AEDT. Tomorrow’s NBA schedule with confirmed Australian broadcasters, AEST tip-offs and the pick of the day. Free.
What’s next?
- Live US Sports TV Guide — every NBA game, every day, confirmed broadcasters
- This Weekend’s Viewing Guide
- How to Watch MLS in Australia 2026
- How to Watch NHL in Australia 2026-27
Updated 20 October 2026 for the 2026-27 NBA regular season. Pricing accurate as of October 2026 — check platform sites for current offers. All times AEST matching the TV Guide widget. Mac Johannson covers US sports for Australian fans.