Amazon Prime Video and the National Basketball Association (NBA) have announced a landmark 11-year media rights agreement, starting with the 2025-26 NBA season. This deal positions Amazon Prime Video as a key global platform for NBA content, marking a significant shift in sports broadcasting.
Under the agreement, Prime Video will acquire exclusive U.S. and international rights to broadcast 66 regular-season NBA games. This includes marquee events such as an opening week doubleheader, a new Black Friday NBA game, and all Knockout Rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup, including the in-season tournament’s Semifinals and Finals.
Prime Video will also hold exclusive rights to broadcast the entire postseason SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, one-third of the first and second rounds of the NBA Playoffs, and the Conference Finals in six of the 11 years. The agreement includes rights to stream the NBA Finals in select years, enhancing the global reach and accessibility of NBA content.
The distribution package will extend internationally, covering regions like Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Each of these territories will receive at least 20 additional primetime regular-season games each year, along with a Conference Finals series and the NBA Finals in six of the 11 years.
In a strategic move, Prime Video Channels will become the global third-party distributor for NBA League Pass, the NBA’s subscription service for streaming live and on-demand games. This partnership aims to streamline access to NBA content for fans worldwide, excluding Greater China, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Rights in Canada will commence with the 2026-27 NBA season.
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, stated, “The digital opportunities with Amazon align perfectly with the global interest in the NBA. Prime Video’s massive subscriber base will dramatically expand our ability to reach our fans in new and innovative ways.”
Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, added, “NBA and WNBA basketball will serve as another cornerstone of the robust sports business our Prime Video team has built in just the last six years. This partnership enhances our sports offering, making Prime Video a genuine one-stop shop for everything our customers want in video.”
Jay Marine, Global Head of Sports at Prime Video, commented, “We are proud to be the first exclusive streaming partner for the NBA, bringing Prime members across the globe to one of the most exciting and most popular sports in the world. With 66 regular season games, the NBA Cup, the Play-In Tournament, more than 20 playoff games every year, and NBA League Pass, we’re giving basketball fans around the world more ways than ever to watch the action.”
Prime Video plans to enhance the viewing experience with advanced streaming features such as interactive stats, multiple camera angles, and real-time commentary. NBA coverage on Prime Video will commence with an opening week doubleheader at the start of the 2025-26 season, followed by Friday night games, select Saturday afternoon games, and Thursday night doubleheaders starting January 2026.
The platform will also stream half of all NBA Summer League games and a package of WNBA and NBA G League regular-season and postseason games. Prime Video will present live NBA pregame, postgame, and halftime shows, with further details on talent and production to be announced later.
This groundbreaking agreement underscores the growing influence of streaming services in the sports media market, challenging traditional cable networks. By securing this extensive media rights deal, Amazon Prime Video solidifies its position as a major player in live sports streaming, setting a precedent for future deals in the industry.
