UK basketball fans have excellent options for watching NBA games, and unlike American viewers, you won't face any blackout restrictions. Here's everything you need to know about watching the NBA from Britain.
Main Ways to Watch NBA in the UK
1. Sky Sports (170+ Games)
Best for: Casual fans who want curated coverage without overwhelming choice
What you get:
- Around 170 live games per season on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena
- All Christmas Day games (5 marquee matchups)
- All-Star Weekend coverage
- Every playoff and Finals game
- Pre and post-game analysis
Cost: £22/month (NOW Sports Day Pass) or included with Sky TV packages
2. NBA League Pass (All 1,230+ Games)
Best for: Hardcore fans who want every game and complete control
What you get:
- EVERY regular season game (1,230+) with NO BLACKOUTS in UK
- All playoff games
- Home or away broadcast choice
- Full game replays available within minutes
- Condensed games (40 minutes, all action)
- Mobile Downloads for offline viewing
- Classic games archive
Cost: From £9.99/month or £89.99/year (Premium)
No NBA on BT Sport/TNT Sports
Unlike the NFL, NBA games are NOT available on BT Sport or TNT Sports in the UK. Your only options for comprehensive coverage are Sky Sports and NBA League Pass.
Quick Comparison: Sky Sports vs NBA League Pass
| Feature | Sky Sports | NBA League Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | ~170 games (curated) | ALL 1,230+ games |
| Playoffs | All games | All games |
| UK Blackouts | None | None |
| Replays | Limited (Sky Go) | Full + condensed |
| Cost | From £22/month | From £9.99/month |
| Offline Download | No | Yes (Premium) |
| Other Sports | NFL, F1, Cricket, etc. | NBA only |
Sky Sports Pros
- ✓ Curated selection removes decision fatigue
- ✓ All big games guaranteed
- ✓ UK-friendly scheduling
- ✓ Includes other major sports
- ✓ Professional UK studio analysis
Sky Sports Cons
- ✗ Miss 85% of regular season games
- ✗ Can't watch your specific team if not selected
- ✗ More expensive than League Pass
- ✗ Limited replay options
League Pass Pros
- ✓ Watch ANY game, ANY time
- ✓ No blackouts in UK
- ✓ Full replays + condensed games
- ✓ Cheaper than Sky Sports
- ✓ Home or away commentary choice
League Pass Cons
- ✗ Too much choice can be overwhelming
- ✗ No UK studio shows or analysis
- ✗ NBA only (no other sports)
- ✗ Requires strong internet
Understanding UK Game Times
The biggest challenge for UK NBA fans is time zones. Here's what to expect:
Typical NBA Schedule in UK Time
- 7:00pm ET games: Midnight UK
- 7:30pm ET games: 12:30am UK
- 10:00pm ET games: 3:00am UK
- 10:30pm ET games: 3:30am UK (West Coast)
- Weekend afternoon games: 6:00-9:00pm UK (Much better!)
Viewing Strategies for UK Fans
The Night Owl Strategy
Stay up for midnight starts, watch first half/three quarters, sleep by 2-3am. Best for:
- Students with late morning schedules
- Night shift workers
- Weekend games (Friday/Saturday nights)
The Replay Strategy
Watch full replays the next morning/evening. Best for:
- 9-5 workers who want full game experience
- Fans who can avoid spoilers
- NBA League Pass subscribers
Pro tip: Stay off social media, mute basketball accounts, use "spoiler-free mode" on League Pass
The Condensed Game Strategy
Watch 40-minute condensed games (all action, no timeouts/breaks). Best for:
- Busy professionals
- Following multiple teams
- Catching up quickly
UK-Friendly Games to Target
- Saturday/Sunday afternoons: Start 6-9pm UK time
- MLK Day, Presidents Day: Afternoon games
- Christmas Day: Games throughout the day, starting ~5pm UK
- Playoffs: More afternoon games on weekends
NBA League Pass: Deep Dive
League Pass is often the best choice for serious UK NBA fans. Here's the pricing breakdown:
Premium
£89.99/year
or £9.99/month
- ✅ All 1,230+ games live
- ✅ No blackouts (UK)
- ✅ Full replays
- ✅ Condensed games
- ✅ Mobile downloads
- ✅ 2 concurrent streams
Team Pass
£59.99/year
or £5.99/month
- ✅ All games for ONE team
- ✅ Home and away broadcasts
- ✅ Full replays
- ✅ Condensed games
- ❌ Only your selected team
Why UK Viewers Get the Best Deal
UK League Pass subscribers get a BETTER product than US subscribers:
- ZERO blackouts: US viewers can't watch local team games or nationally televised games live. You can watch EVERYTHING.
- Playoff access: US viewers are blacked out from all playoff games. UK viewers get full playoff access.
League Pass Tips & Tricks
Use Spoiler-Free Mode
Enable this in settings to hide scores when browsing replays. Perfect for watching games the next day without knowing the outcome.
Download Games for Commute
Premium subscribers can download full games or condensed versions to phone/tablet. Great for train journeys or flights.
Start Game from Beginning
If you join a live game late, you can restart from the beginning while it's still in progress. Catch up at your own pace.
Top Tips for UK NBA Fans
1. Pick Your Battles
You can't watch every game live. Choose 2-3 "must-watch" games per week and catch up on others via highlights or condensed games.
2. Embrace Replays
Watching on-demand is NOT inferior. Skip timeouts and halftime, or watch at 1.5x speed to save 30+ minutes.
3. Social Media Management
If watching replays, mute basketball accounts, avoid Reddit r/NBA front page, and don't check BBC Sport.
4. Target Weekend Games
Saturday/Sunday afternoon US games are evening viewing in UK (6-9pm). Much more sociable!
5. Consider East Coast Teams
If choosing a team to support, East Coast teams (Celtics, Knicks, 76ers, Heat) have more games starting at midnight rather than 3am.
6. Use Annual Leave Strategically
Book a day off work for Game 7 of the Finals, or take "NBA All-Star Monday" as a duvet day.
Ready to Start Watching?
UK basketball fans have never had it better. Pick your platform, set your alarms, and enjoy the best basketball league in the world.
Also Watch NFLFrequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NBA for free in the UK?
Limited free options exist:
- NBA YouTube channel posts game highlights (10-12 mins)
- NBA App shows highlights and some condensed games
- Occasional free trial periods for League Pass
However, comprehensive live coverage requires a paid subscription.
What time do NBA games start in the UK?
Typical UK times:
- Early evening US games (7pm ET): Midnight UK
- Late night US games (10:30pm ET): 3:30am UK
- West Coast games: Can start as late as 5:30am UK
- Weekend afternoon games: 6-9pm UK (much better!)
Is NBA League Pass worth it in the UK?
Yes, if you're a serious NBA fan. UK viewers get:
- NO blackouts (unlike US viewers who can't watch local teams)
- Access to ALL 1,230+ games
- Full replays and condensed games
- Mobile downloads for offline viewing
At £89.99/year, it's excellent value for hardcore fans.
Can I watch NBA on Sky Sports?
Yes! Sky Sports shows around 170 live NBA games per season, including marquee matchups, Christmas Day games, All-Star Weekend, and the entire playoffs. Available through Sky TV or NOW Sports passes.
Do I need a VPN to watch NBA in the UK?
No! VPNs are unnecessary for UK viewers. You already have better access than Americans because UK League Pass has zero blackouts.
Final Thoughts
Following the NBA from the UK has never been easier, with multiple high-quality streaming options and a growing community of UK-based fans. Whether you choose Sky Sports for curated coverage or NBA League Pass for complete access to every game, you'll be able to enjoy the best basketball league in the world.
The key is choosing the service that matches your viewing habits and embracing replays/condensed games to work around the time zone challenge. Welcome to the UK NBA fan community!