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.
Good news: in our fully updated blogpost, we’ll show you three actually working ways to access NBA League Pass for free: official trials, special promotions, and smart streaming options. Whether you’re tuning in from home or abroad, here’s everything you need to know before the season starts.
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 22, 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 Tested 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. Below are three tested methods you can use in 2025 to get NBA League Pass without paying upfront.
1. Official Free Trial
The easiest way to try out NBA League Pass for free is through its official 7-day trial, available directly on the NBA website.
Here’s how to get started:
- 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
You must cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be 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
If you’re in the U.S. and over 21, FanDuel Sportsbook is offering one of the best NBA League Pass promos this season. By placing a small $5 bet, you get three months of NBA League Pass for free and possibly 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 loses, you’ll still get the free League Pass trial. This offer is for new users only .This is hands-down the longest free access option available, and the bonus bet is a nice extra if you’re comfortable with sports betting.
3. Accessing Through Streaming Services
Many popular streaming platforms allow you to add NBA League Pass as a channel or bundle and most of them offer free trials for new users. Here are your best bets in 2025:
YouTube TV
- Offers a 5–14 day free trial depending on your region and promotions
- You can add NBA League Pass during signup
- Includes key NBA channels: ABC, TNT, ESPN
- Great option for combining national games with out-of-market coverage
Use your free trial to test both YouTube TV and NBA League Pass together in one place.
Amazon Prime Video Channels
- NBA League Pass is available as an add-on subscription
- If you’re a new Prime user, you can get a 30-day free trial of Prime
- Then start a 7-day free trial of League Pass through Prime Video Channels
This combo gives you up to 37 days of free basketball streaming if you’ve never subscribed before.
When To Tune In For 2025-26 NBA League Pass? Season Kick-Off & Schedule
The 2025–26 NBA season is packed with action, and knowing when it all starts helps you plan your free trial or promotional access at the perfect time.
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 |
| October 22, 2025 | NBA Regular Season Tip-Off |
| November 28 – December 17, 2025 | Emirates NBA Cup Tournament |
| February 14–16, 2026 | NBA All-Star Weekend |
| April 13, 2026 | Last Day of Regular Season |
| April 15–18, 2026 | Play-In Tournament |
| April 19, 2026 | NBA Playoffs Begin |
| Early May 2026 | Conference Semifinals |
| Late May 2026 | Conference Finals |
| June 5, 2026 | NBA Finals Game 1 |
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.
There are two ways to deal with blackouts:
- Wait for the replay. League Pass allows you to watch the full game later.
- Use TurisVPN to change your virtual location and watch live 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 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 you’re in Los Angeles and it’s blacked out. Just open TurisVPN, search for a U.S. city outside California, like New York or Dallas, 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.
