NBA League Pass: what is it, price, apps and all you need to know

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The NBA League Pass is a requirement for basketball fans. It has changed the way people watch NBA live streams ever since its mid-'90s debut.

To see the games you wish to see, though, which package should you choose? Does it exist where you are? How much money will you need to spend? Can you also view from outside the country? You've come to the proper place to learn the answers to all of these queries as well as a lot more details about the NBA League Pass.

Where is the NBA League Pass available?

Not just Americans have access to all the live action and extra content offered by the NBA League Pass.

Basketball fans from all over the world, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, the UK, Europe, and countless others, can now witness just as much - and in some cases even more - action than their American counterparts thanks to the International League Pass(opens in new tab).

You can view the list of nations without access to the International League Pass here(opens in new tab), but you probably won't be shocked to see North Korea, Cuba, and Iran all on there. In fact, it's probably simpler to compile a list of those nations.

NBA League Pass packages

Naturally, the cost of the NBA League Pass varies by area (more on this below), but the packages that are offered are essentially the same everywhere in the world. These are what they are:

League Pass

NBA regular season and postseason games are covered live and on demand via League Pass, the most popular of the service's subscription plans.

You can watch every game live if you have an International NBA League Pass(opens in new tab) subscription, so take that literally.

For US viewers, however, there are a few more restrictions. To catch up, you must wait three days under local blackout regulations. Additionally, until three hours after the end of the live broadcast, you won't be able to view any nationally televised games that are being shown on ESPN, ABC, TNT, or NBA TV. And yes, that does imply that the League Pass does not offer live coverage of the playoff finals.

Team Pass

Do you only consider your friends? If so, a Team Pass would be a better option for you so you don't waste money on basketball games you have no interest in watching.

The League Pass is modified by the Team Pass to remove extra content, leaving you with access to only the games involving your favourite team.

The only games you may watch live are those that are out-of-market because the same limits apply in the US as they do with the full League Pass.

League Pass Premium

removes all the annoying advertisements from the League Pass. The ability to watch on two devices simultaneously means that you can stream two games simultaneously or split the cost with a friend or family member.

NBA TV Live (US only)

NBA TV is essentially a national TV network for NBA fans. You may watch many NBA games each week on it, and it is available 24 hours a day with features, exclusive features, original content, game press conferences, and much more.

NBA TV can also be added to US League or Team Pass at your discretion.

3-Game Choice/8-Game Choice (International only)

This subscription could be a good substitute if you're more of a casual NBA fan or concerned that time zones will prevent you from getting enough use out of a full-fledged League Pass. You choose three or eight games per month to watch live and/or on demand, which is exactly how it sounds.

Whether you can select a 3- or 8-Game Choice Sub will depend on where in the world you are. For instance, the former is offered in the UK, but only the 8-Game version may be purchased there.

Day Pass (International only)

Simply want to pop in and out now and then? It should come as no surprise that a Day Pass gives you access to everything that League Pass subscribers have access to. Furthermore, you can play a LOT of basketball in a single day.

How much is the NBA League Pass price?

The NBA League Pass price goes down over the course of the season, which makes sense... you wouldn't want to pay the price for a whole season if you only sign up halfway through or just for the playoffs.

At the start of the 2020-21 season, this is how much the different NBA League Pass packages cost in the US, UK and Australia (where appropriate):

  • League Pass: $199.99 / £179.99 / AU$239.99
  • Team Pass: $119.99 / £99.99 / AU$169.99
  • League Pass Premium: $249.99 / £209.99
  • NBATV Live TV: $59.99
  • 3-Game Choice: £31.99 / 8-Game Choice: AU$109.99
  • Day Pass: £5.99

Do I have to commit to NBA League Pass for a year?

You can always purchase a monthly pass if paying for an entire NBA season seems a bit extravagant (or maybe you simply want to try it out before committing entirely).

In the long run, it turns out to be less beneficial, as you might anticipate. A League Pass and a Team Pass, for instance, cost $28.99 and $17.99 a month, respectively, in the US. However, if you know that you won't watch significant portions of the season, then this may be a better fit for your watching preferences.

What devices can I watch NBA League Pass on?

The NBA League Pass support website lists the following devices as available to watch via (at the time of writing):

  • iOS
  • Android
  • Roku
  • Xbox One and Series X
  • Android TV
  • PlayStation 4 and 5
  • Apple TV
  • Amazon Fire Stick, Fire TV and Fire tablet
  • Chromecast
  • Oculus (US only)