NBA broke viewership records in 2025-26 season. How many tuned in?

NBA broke viewership records in 2025-26 season. How many tuned in?

The 2025-26 NBA regular season is officially in the books and it was one that was well-watched.

NBC Sports' NBA coverage began with a record-setting night with "NBA Tip-Off" on Oct. 21, marking the return of the nostalgic broadcast partner.

The season started with the first opening night double-overtime game in 20 years, a matchup between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, who kicked things off with their championship ring ceremony.

It was the largest "NBA Tip-Off" doubleheader audience since 2010, not including 2011 opening games on Christmas holiday. The doubleheader maintained an average of 5.6 million viewers across NBC and Peacock.

Here's a look at the season highlights for viewership, attendance, digital and social numbers during the 2025-26 NBA season:

Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.

Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards' Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.

Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.

Oct. 24: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.

Oct. 22: The New York Knicks' OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.

Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards' Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 24: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 22: The New York Knicks' OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.

NBA 2025-26 regular-season viewership

A total of 170 million people in the United States watched NBA games across ABC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC, Peacock and NBA TV through the regular season.

It was the most-watched NBA season in 24 years. Viewership was up 86% compared to the 2024-25 regular season, according to the league.

NBA games across ABC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC and Peacock averaged 1.78 million viewers. It was the most in seven years and up 16% year-over-year. Including NBA TV, the league had the highest amount of viewership in 13 years and was up 35% year-over-year.

There were 57 telecasts that averaged at least two million viewers this season, the most since the 2011-12 regular season, and the league had 19 broadcasts that averaged at least three million viewers – the most since the 2012-13 regular season.

The regular season drove more than 920 million hours watched, the most since the 2011-12 season.

NBA on social media for 2025-26 season

The league generated a record 228 billion views on social media this season, up 13% over a year-to-year basis, according to Videocites.

The NBA debuted Tap to Watch, to allow fans to live stream games. According to a league news release, the new implementation drove fans to nearly 20 million live game streams with nationally televised games making up 75% of that engagement. Usage was driven largely by partners such as Google, social media platforms and the NBA App, the news release said.

NBA attendance for 2025-26 season

The NBA fans showed up in record numbers this season. A new league record was set for total attendance across a three-season span (2023-24 to 2025-26), exceeding 22.18 million fans in total attendance in team arenas for the third time ever.

A Seattle Supersonics fan holds a sign advocating for their return during pregame warmups between the LA Clippers and Utah Jazz at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Oct. 10, 2023.

Seattle SuperSonics center Bob Rule (45) shoots against the Cincinnati Royals.

Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton lays the ball up against the Chicago Bulls during the 1996 NBA Finals at Key Arena in June 1996.

Seattle SuperSonics fans stand between plays during the second quarter between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, Calif. on Feb. 13, 2011.

Seattle's Detlef Schrempf (11) , left, flies as he passes the ball during NBA Finals Game 3 on June 9, 1996 in Seattle. At left are Chicago's Luc Longley (13) and Dennis Rodman (91)

Seattle SuperSonics point guard Gary Payton drives to the basket around Toronto Raptor Damon Stoudamire in the second half at Toronto's Skydome on Nov. 21, 1995.

New York Knicks forward Phil Jackson, left, forward Dave DeBusschere and Seattle SuperSonics guard Lenny Wilkens in action at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 1971.

Ray Allen #34 of the Seattle SuperSonics reacts after hitting his sixth three-point shot of the game against the Denver Nuggets, breaking the NBA record for most three-pointers by a player in a season (267), on April 19, 2006 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle SuperSonics player Shawn Kemp slam dunks the ball for two of his 21 points against the Phoenix Suns during their Western Conference NBA playoff game on May 3, 1997. The Sonics beat the Suns 116-92 to advance to the conference semi-finals against the Houston Rockets.

Kevin Durant of the Seattle SuperSonics drives against Pau Gasol #16 and Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Key Arena Feb. 24, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Lakers defeated the Sonics 111-91.

Seattle SuperSonics center Spencer Haywood in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 1971.

Seattle SuperSonics head coach Tom Nissalke against the Atlanta Hawks during the 1972-73 season at The Omni in Atlanta.

Bill Russell, left, head coach and general manager of the Seattle SuperSonics, talks to fans while waiting to coach the Pacific-8 against the SEC in the first round of the first annual Four-Star Classic at Memorial Gym in Nashville on April 9, 1974.

Seattle Supersonics guard Don Watts is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Pete Maravich at The Omni on Dec. 1, 1973 in Atlanta.

Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway (10) in action against Seattle Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton (20) at the Miami Arena on Feb. 28, 1997.

Fans hold a flag for the Seattle SuperSonics during the fourth quarter of a game between the Utah Jazz and LA Clippers at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Oct. 10, 2023.

Seattle SuperSonics guard Butch Beard (21) in action against the Atlanta Hawks at The Omni on Feb. 27, 1973 in Atlanta.

Seattle SuperSonics guard Dennis Johnson passes the ball.

Seattle SuperSonics fan Ervin Fleshman of Edison, Washington holds a sign with his mother Allison (right) during pregame warmups for a game between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings at KeyArena on Oct. 5, 2018.

Forward Tom Chambers of the Seattle SuperSonics looks to shoot the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif. in 1988.

A fan of the Seattle SuperSonics holds a sign prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 1, 2007 at Key Arena in Seattle, Wash.

Former Seattle SuperSonics forward Detlef Schremph shows off a Sonics t-shirt during a pregame between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors at KeyArena in Seattle on Oct. 5, 2018.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

A Seattle Supersonics fan holds a sign advocating for their return during pregame warmups between the LA Clippers and Utah Jazz at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Oct. 10, 2023.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

A Seattle Supersonics fan holds a sign advocating for their return during pregame warmups between the LA Clippers and Utah Jazz at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Oct. 10, 2023.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics center Bob Rule (45) shoots against the Cincinnati Royals.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton lays the ball up against the Chicago Bulls during the 1996 NBA Finals at Key Arena in June 1996.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics fans stand between plays during the second quarter between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, Calif. on Feb. 13, 2011.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle's Detlef Schrempf (11) , left, flies as he passes the ball during NBA Finals Game 3 on June 9, 1996 in Seattle. At left are Chicago's Luc Longley (13) and Dennis Rodman (91)

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics point guard Gary Payton drives to the basket around Toronto Raptor Damon Stoudamire in the second half at Toronto's Skydome on Nov. 21, 1995.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

New York Knicks forward Phil Jackson, left, forward Dave DeBusschere and Seattle SuperSonics guard Lenny Wilkens in action at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 1971.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Ray Allen #34 of the Seattle SuperSonics reacts after hitting his sixth three-point shot of the game against the Denver Nuggets, breaking the NBA record for most three-pointers by a player in a season (267), on April 19, 2006 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics player Shawn Kemp slam dunks the ball for two of his 21 points against the Phoenix Suns during their Western Conference NBA playoff game on May 3, 1997. The Sonics beat the Suns 116-92 to advance to the conference semi-finals against the Houston Rockets.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Kevin Durant of the Seattle SuperSonics drives against Pau Gasol #16 and Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Key Arena Feb. 24, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Lakers defeated the Sonics 111-91.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics center Spencer Haywood in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 1971.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics head coach Tom Nissalke against the Atlanta Hawks during the 1972-73 season at The Omni in Atlanta.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Bill Russell, left, head coach and general manager of the Seattle SuperSonics, talks to fans while waiting to coach the Pacific-8 against the SEC in the first round of the first annual Four-Star Classic at Memorial Gym in Nashville on April 9, 1974.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle Supersonics guard Don Watts is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Pete Maravich at The Omni on Dec. 1, 1973 in Atlanta.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway (10) in action against Seattle Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton (20) at the Miami Arena on Feb. 28, 1997.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Fans hold a flag for the Seattle SuperSonics during the fourth quarter of a game between the Utah Jazz and LA Clippers at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Oct. 10, 2023.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics guard Butch Beard (21) in action against the Atlanta Hawks at The Omni on Feb. 27, 1973 in Atlanta.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics guard Dennis Johnson passes the ball.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Seattle SuperSonics fan Ervin Fleshman of Edison, Washington holds a sign with his mother Allison (right) during pregame warmups for a game between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings at KeyArena on Oct. 5, 2018.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Forward Tom Chambers of the Seattle SuperSonics looks to shoot the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif. in 1988.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

A fan of the Seattle SuperSonics holds a sign prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 1, 2007 at Key Arena in Seattle, Wash.

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Fans are ready for a Seattle SuperSonics return to Emerald City

Former Seattle SuperSonics forward Detlef Schremph shows off a Sonics t-shirt during a pregame between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors at KeyArena in Seattle on Oct. 5, 2018.

Fun facts from the 2025-26 NBA regular-season

Here are some highlights from the 2025-26 NBA regular-season, according to the league:

• More than 40 million people in the U.S. watched NBA Cup 2025 group play games across Amazon Prime Video, NBC/Peacock and ESPN, up 90% from last year and the most-watched group play games in the event’s three-year history.
• The NBA Cup final between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs in December 2025 averaged 3.07 million viewers on Amazon Prime Video, a 3% increase over the 2024 championship, which was 2.99 million on ABC.
• ESPN delivered its largest average NBA Christmas audience since 2018 across its platforms. The five-game slate on Thursday, December 25, averaged 5.5 million viewers, up four percent from 2024. The Christmas games reached 47.2 million fans, up 45 percent from 2024. It is the largest audience reach for ESPN’s Christmas NBA games since 2010, excluding the season-opening Christmas day in 2011.
• Games between the Mavericks and Knicks, and the Thunder and Cavaliers on Jan. 19, in observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, delivered the league’s two largest afternoon audiences on MLK King Day on record, dating back to 1992.
• The first NBA All-Star Game broadcast by NBC Sports since 2002 delivered the largest NBA All-Star audience since 2011, averaging 8.8 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, according to preliminary Nielsen data and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
• More than 46 million people in the U.S. watched NBA All-Star weekend across NBC platforms and ESPN, the most in 24 years and more than triple last season.
• The NBA's storied rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics on NBC on Feb. 22 was the most-watched regular-season Sunday night game since April 2, 2000, averaging 5.6 million viewers across ABC, Peacock and Telemundo.  It was also the most watched NBA regular-season game since 2017, excluding Christmas Day.
• Knicks and Thunder on March 29 delivered 3.4 million average viewers, marking the network’s 10th game with at least 3 million viewers, the most for any network since the 2018-19 regular season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA announces 2025-26 viewership, digital and social media statistics