The NBA 2025-26 season tips off on October 21, 2025 and if you’re already counting down the days, you’re probably also wondering how to get NBA League Pass free before game time.
NBA League Pass offers great coverage, but the cost can add up. The good news is there are legitimate ways to get NBA League Pass for free or at a discounted rate.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through three proven methods to get access, including official trials, special promotions, and smart streaming options. At the end, you will find out how you can enjoy NBA games without the full price tag.
Key Takeaways
| – There are three ways: the official 7-day free trial, a FanDuel Sportsbook promo that gives you 3 free months, and free trials via streaming services like YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video. – The NBA 2025-26 season kicks off on October 21, 2025, so it’s the perfect time to activate one of these options. – You can also watch NBA League Pass globally on platforms like NBA.com, FuboTV, or YouTube TV, but note that some games may be blacked out. – To bypass blackout restrictions, you can use TurisVPN to change your virtual location and unlock the full NBA experience. |
What Is NBA League Pass?
NBA League Pass is the official streaming service from the NBA. The service is created for basketball fans who want more than just the nationally televised games.
With a League Pass subscription, you can watch live games, full-game replays, condensed highlights, and even multi-game views. It’s especially helpful for fans who want to follow out-of-market teams or watch every team in the league. There are two main plans:
- Standard League Pass – lets you stream all out-of-market games.
- League Pass Premium – includes everything in the standard plan, removes ads, and lets you watch on two devices at once.
The streaming also comes with access to NBA TV, a 24/7 channel with exclusive content, live shows, and select game broadcasts.
Whether you’re a casual fan or hardcore supporter, NBA League Pass gives you the freedom to watch your favorite teams on your own schedule.
How To Get NBA League Pass Free In 2025? (3 Legitimate Ways)
NBA League Pass is packed with value, but if you’re not ready to pay full price, there are legit ways to watch it for free. Whether you want to try the service before committing, catch a seasonal discount, or use a streaming bundle, we’ve got you covered. Here are three proven ways to get NBA League Pass free or at a reduced cost.
Here’s how you can do it:
1. Official Free Trial: Availability & How to Cancel
The easiest way to try out NBA League Pass for free is through its official 7-day trial, available directly on the NBA website. The NBA League Pass free trial is one of the easiest ways to access NBA games without spending money. It’s available in some regions, offering full access to live games, highlights, and on-demand content for a limited time (usually 7 days).
How to sign up for the free trial:
- Step 1: Go to the NBA League Pass website and choose your plan
- Step 2: Click the “Try Free” option
- Step 3: Create your NBA account and choose a payment method (you won’t be charged during the trial)
- Step 4: Start watching games right away!
You’ll get full access to:
- Out-of-market games (live and on-demand)
- Replays, highlights, and stats overlays
- Multi-screen viewing
- Downloadable games for offline viewing
Canceling the trial:
- Step 1: Go to your Account Settings.
- Step 2: Find the Subscription section and click Cancel.
- Step 3: Confirm to avoid auto-renewal.
Tip: Set a reminder to cancel the trial before it ends to avoid being charged.
You can also access this free trial when signing up through partner platforms like FuboTV or Prime Video, but conditions may vary based on your location or account history.
2. Promotional Offers & Seasonal Discounts
If you’re looking for a discounted NBA League Pass, one of the best offers in 2025 comes from FanDuel Sportsbook (U.S. residents, 21+). By placing a small $5 bet, you can get three months of NBA League Pass free – plus the chance to earn up to $300 in bonus bets if your wager wins.
Here’s how to claim it:
- Go to FanDuel Sportsbook and create a new account
- Deposit at least $5
- Place your first bet of $5 on any sport
- Win or lose, you’ll receive an email with your NBA League Pass 3-month code within 72 hours
- Use the code via the NBA website (not the app) to start streaming
Even if your bet doesn’t win, you’ll still get three months of free access to NBA League Pass. However, this offer is only for new users and involves sports betting, which may not appeal to everyone.
Tip: This is the longest free access offer available, but be sure to read the terms and conditions of FanDuel to understand the wagering requirements.
3. Accessing Through Streaming Services
Many streaming platforms offer NBA League Pass as an add-on or bundle. If you’re new to the platform, you can often combine free trials from both the streaming service and NBA League Pass, giving you extended access to NBA games. Here are the best options for 2025:
YouTube TV
- Free Trial: YouTube TV offers a 5–14 day free trial, depending on your region and current promotions.
- NBA League Pass: You can easily add NBA League Pass during signup.
- Key Channels: Includes major NBA channels like ABC, TNT, and ESPN, making it a great choice for both national games and out-of-market coverage.
- How to Use: Use the free trial to test YouTube TV and NBA League Pass together, giving you all-access to live games and highlights.
Tip: Make sure to cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged.
Use your free trial to test both YouTube TV and NBA League Pass together in one place.
Amazon Prime Video Channels
- NBA League Pass Add-On: Available as an add-on subscription to your existing Amazon Prime Video account.
- Free Trial: If you’re a new Prime Video user, you can start with a 30-day free trial of Prime, followed by a 7-day free trial for NBA League Pass.
- Total Free Access: This combo gives you up to 37 days of free streaming if you’re a new user to both Amazon Prime and NBA League Pass.
Tip: Make sure your Prime trial is active before starting the NBA League Pass trial.
When To Tune In For 2025-26 NBA League Pass? Season Kick-Off & Schedule
The 2025-26 NBA season is filled with exciting matchups, and knowing when the games start is key to maximizing your free trial or promo access.
The regular season officially begins on October 22, 2025, and will run until April 13, 2026. After that, the Play-In Tournament takes place from April 15–18, followed by the NBA Playoffs starting on April 19. The NBA Finals are set to begin on June 5, 2026.
Here are some of the key dates to mark on your calendar:
| Date | Event | Information |
| October 22, 2025 | NBA Regular Season Tip-Off | The season begins with the first games of the 2025-26 NBA season, offering an exciting start with top teams facing off. |
| November 28 – December 17, 2025 | Emirates NBA Cup Tournament | The Emirates NBA Cup takes place during this period, adding more excitement before the Christmas break. |
| February 14–16, 2026 | NBA All-Star Weekend | A highlight of the season, the All-Star Weekend features the best players competing in various events. |
| April 13, 2026 | Last Day of Regular Season | The final regular-season games take place, setting up the playoffs. |
| April 15–18, 2026 | Play-In Tournament | Teams battling for the final playoff spots. This is where the intensity ramps up. |
| April 19, 2026 | NBA Playoffs Begin | The journey to the NBA Finals starts here. Every game matters. |
| Early May 2026 | Conference Semifinals | The top teams battle it out in the semifinals to reach the finals. |
| Late May 2026 | Conference Finals | The best teams face off for a spot in the NBA Finals. |
| June 5, 2026 | NBA Finals Game 1 | The NBA Finals begin, bringing the season to a thrilling conclusion. |
Where To Watch NBA League Pass In 2025?
Whether you’re watching from the U.S. or abroad, there are plenty of ways to stream NBA League Pass in 2025. The key is choosing the right platform based on your location, budget, and device setup.
If you’re based in the United States, you can stream NBA League Pass through several official platforms, including:
- NBA.com or the NBA App: The most direct method. Just purchase a League Pass subscription and stream from your browser, smartphone, tablet, smart TV, or gaming console.
- YouTube TV: Add NBA League Pass as a premium channel. Bonus: YouTube TV offers a free trial for new users, so it’s a solid way to test both services together.
- Amazon Prime Video Channels: If you’re already subscribed to Prime, you can add NBA League Pass and stream directly within the Prime Video app. Amazon occasionally offers free trials for channel add-ons — check before subscribing.
- FuboTV & DirecTV Stream: Both platforms let you bundle NBA League Pass with your subscription. FuboTV offers a 7-day free trial, and DirecTV Stream sometimes has introductory discounts or sports bundles available.
- Hulu + Live TV: Hulu provides access to ESPN, ABC, and TNT for national games, but doesn’t currently offer NBA League Pass as an add-on.
Nationally televised games on ESPN, TNT, and ABC are not available live on League Pass due to blackout restrictions. You’ll need a streaming platform that carries those channels to watch them live. If you’re overseas, you’re actually in luck. NBA League Pass International usually offers:
- Lower prices compared to the U.S.
- Fewer blackout restrictions
- Access in multiple languages
- Stream on up to 3 devices with the Premium plan
Some countries even offer full-season subscriptions for under $20. To check local pricing and access, go to NBA League Pass Global and select your region.
How to Watch NBA Games During Blackouts With a VPN?
Blackouts happen when local broadcasters or national networks (like ESPN, TNT, or ABC) have exclusive rights to certain games. That means even if you pay for NBA League Pass, you may be blocked from watching your local team live.
These blackouts are based on your location, determined by your IP address. For example, if you’re in Chicago, you likely can’t watch Bulls home games live on League Pass—they’ll be blacked out in that region. And this applies to both NBA League Pass and some streaming services like Hulu + Live TV.
How to Bypass NBA Blackouts: Two Options
- Wait for the Replay: You can always watch the game later on NBA League Pass, but this doesn’t solve the live blackout issue.
- Use a VPN to Change Your Location: With a VPN like TurisVPN, you can change your virtual location to access games without restrictions.
Step-by-Step to Bypass NBA Blackouts with TurisVPN
With TurisVPN, you can easily bypass blackouts by connecting to a location where the game is available. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Get TurisVPN: First, sign up for a free VPN plan at TurisVPN. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
- Step 2: Download & Install the App: TurisVPN works on all major devices: Android, iOS, and Chrome Web Extension. Install the app from the official site or app store.
- Step 3: Connect to a Non-Blackout Location: Let’s say you want to watch a Lakers game, but it’s blacked out in your area. Just open TurisVPN, select the U.S server where the game is available, and hit connect.
- Step 4: Start Streaming: Once you’re connected, open NBA League Pass or your streaming app (like FuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV).
Bottom Line
If you’re still wondering how to get NBA League Pass free, the good news is there are legit and tested ways to do it in 2025. From the official 7-day trial, special FanDuel promotions, to free trials on streaming services like YouTube TV and Prime Video Channels. There’s always a method for smart fans who know where to look.
TurisVPN can unlock the full experience. Now you’re all set to enjoy the full season: live, on-demand, and without restriction
FAQs
Q1. How much is an NBA package DirecTV?
As of 2025, the NBA League Pass on DirecTV costs $14.99/month or $99.99 for the season. If you want the commercial-free Premium version, it’s priced at $19.99/month or $149.99 per season. Keep in mind, blackouts may still apply depending on your location.
Q2. Can I get an NBA League Pass on Hulu?
Yes, you can! Hulu + Live TV includes access to national NBA broadcast channels like ESPN, ABC, and TNT, but you’ll need to add NBA League Pass separately to access out-of-market games. Hulu does not include NBA League Pass by default, so expect an additional charge.
Q3 Is there a student discount for NBA League Pass?
Yes. Students in the U.S. and its territories can get up to 40% off the regular price of NBA League Pass. You’ll need to verify your student status through their official discount page before applying for the offer.
Q4. Is there a way to watch NBA League Pass for free without a trial?
Yes, you can watch NBA League Pass for free without using a trial by taking advantage of promotions like the FanDuel offer, where you place a small bet and get free access for three months. Some streaming services also offer free access to NBA games as part of their subscription bundles, even without a free trial. Be sure to check for seasonal promotions.
