The 2026 NBA draft will take place over two nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Key events include the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, G League combine, and draft lottery in Chicago.
For the third straight year, the NBA draft will feature a two-night format at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the league announced on Tuesday.
Preparations for the draft are well underway, with teams already hosting private workouts with eligible prospects. The first scouting event is set to tip off on Wednesday, with the top seniors in the country embarking on the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Virginia.
Underclassmen have begun announcing their intentions to enter the draft. Prospects can test the predraft process while maintaining their college eligibility, but must remove their name from consideration before the early entry withdrawal deadline.
The league will converge next month for the G League combine and draft combine, featuring the top prospects participating in various on-court drills and testing. The highly anticipated draft lottery will also take place amid the festivities in Chicago, Illinois.
With the NBA announcing the draft date, the schedule surrounding the annual event is now set. Here are the key dates and other important events for the 2026 NBA draft.
Mar 27, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon Jr. (0) controls the ball in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Midwest Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Date: April 24 (11:59 p.m. EDT)
May 17, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; NBA G League Elite Team players warm up before a game in the NBA G League Elite Camp at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Date: May 8-10
Location: Chicago, Illinois
May 12, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; KansasĂ Johnny Furphy NBA at the Draft Lottery at McCormick Place West. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Date: May 10
Location: Chicago, Illinois
May 13, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg (51) participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Date: May 10-17
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Meleek Thomas (1) shoots the ball against the Arizona Wildcats in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Date: May 27 (11:59 p.m. EDT)
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 11: Karim Lopez of the Breakers looks on during the round 16 NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and New Zealand Breakers at WIN Entertainment Centre, on January 11, 2026, in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Date: June 13 (5 p.m. EDT)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Hugo GonzĂÂĄlez is drafted twenty-eighth overall by the Boston Celtics during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Date: June 23
Time: 8 p.m. EDT
TV: ABC, ESPN
Venue: Barclays Center
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; 2025 NBA Draft class poses for a group photo before the first round at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Date: June 24
Time: 8 p.m. EDT
TV: ESPN
Venue: Barclays Center
Location: Brooklyn, New York
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on against the Utah Jazz in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Date: July 9-19
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 2026 NBA draft: Key dates for lottery, combine, withdrawal deadline
The key dates include the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, G League combine, and the draft lottery, all leading up to the two-night draft at Barclays Center.
Underclassmen can enter the draft and participate in the predraft process but must withdraw their name before the early entry withdrawal deadline to maintain their college eligibility.
The 2026 NBA draft lottery will take place in Chicago, Illinois.
The 2026 NBA draft will feature a two-night format, continuing the trend from the previous three years.
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