When to buy NBA game tickets?

First tickets go on sale when the NBA schedule drops in August

• Every year, the NBA ticket release unfolds like the launch of a new iPhone. The NBA’s goal is straightforward: build anticipation to maximize the rush when sales open.
• The basketball schedule is officially announced each August. The 2026/2027 NBA season schedule was released on August 13, 2026.
• Tickets go on sale immediately after the NBA announcement on US platforms. You’ll find all kinds of options online during this first wave. Some sites capitalize on the excitement with inflated prices, and many add excessive booking fees on top. On CNEWYORK, we offer tickets at the best prices through an NBA partner site.
• During this first sales phase, tickets are always purchased in US dollars, even if prices initially display in euros. This is the only difference from the second phase, which I’ll explain below.
• One tip: watch out for sites showing fake counters claiming only a few seats remain or that dozens of people are buying at the same time. These are marketing tricks designed to push you into impulse purchases. The truth is the season just opened and there’s plenty of inventory.

The second sales phase

• After the first phase in late August, a second sales phase opens in late September or early October, depending on the year. This is when international sites, including CNEWYORK, begin selling tickets. On CNEWYORK, you can purchase tickets directly in euros, Swiss francs, or Canadian dollars.
• Plenty of tickets remain available. We offer seats for all regular season games across all price categories. Despite the NBA’s manufactured scarcity in August, by early October there are more than enough seats for everyone interested.
• If you’re heading to New York, you can book NBA tickets on CNEWYORK. Visit the page for New York Knicks games at Madison Square Garden and the page for Brooklyn Nets games at Barclays Center. We have tickets for all home games of New York’s teams.

5 tips for buying NBA tickets at the best price

Once NBA ticket sales launch in the US and worldwide, a few strategies can help you get the best deals. Here’s what to know:

1. Buy as far in advance as possible. While many tickets are released for each game, arena capacity is still limited. Games do sell out, and the most affordable seats disappear first. Book your tickets as soon as you know your travel dates.
2. Be flexible with game dates. Weekend and holiday games typically cost more than weekday matchups. Choose a weekday game for better prices. Don’t worry—weekday games have the same energy and packed crowds as weekend games.
3. Be flexible with teams. Unless you’re a devoted fan of a specific franchise, consider avoiding marquee matchups. Games featuring the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, or Los Angeles Lakers cost more than games with less prominent teams. The same applies to games against the defending champion—the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025. Prices can easily double depending on which NBA teams are playing. That said, nothing beats a game at the iconic Madison Square Garden, the historic home of American basketball. Unforgettable.
4. Skip the playoffs and NBA Finals. When the regular season ends in mid-April, the NBA moves into the playoffs. The top teams compete through the Finals in late June. Avoid this period entirely—playoff ticket prices skyrocket, and Finals tickets are nearly impossible to get. Stick to the regular season if you want to experience an NBA game and feel the electric atmosphere.
5. One final tip: the New York Knicks are the current NBA champions, so 2026-2027 season prices for their games are higher. A smart move this year is to catch the Brooklyn Nets, New York’s other team. Plus, there are two rivalry games against the Knicks on February 1, 2027 and April 2, 2027—matchups with real intensity.