New season tips off with electrifying matchups and fresh rivalries
The wait is over as the NBA 2025-26 regular season tips off this week, promising another exciting year of basketball action on ESPN (DStv 218, StarTimes 248) across Africa and on the ESPN linear channel on Disney+ in South Africa. With new stars rising, familiar rivalries reigniting and championship ambitions at an all-time high, fans across the continent can look forward to a nail-biting season ahead, with exhilarating games every week.
The season ahead
Reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, enter the new campaign with confidence hoping to become the first team to win a back-to-back championship since the Golden State Warriors in 2018. Challengers like the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks and the Warriors will be eager to make their own mark, while new talents continue to inject energy and excitement into the game.
Every matchup promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats as teams battle to secure their place in the post-season. ESPN Africa will broadcast three live games every week with additional repeats during regular programming hours, ensuring that fans never miss the big moments. From buzzer beaters to game-winning performances, the season will be packed with must-watch action that brings fans closer to the heart of the sport.
Basketball and beyond
The return of the NBA adds to an already impressive lineup of world-class sporting entertainment on the ESPN channels. Viewers can continue to enjoy a wide range of sports, including soccer, baseball, rugby, American football and more from the world’s most prestigious leagues.
ESPN is the world’s leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment entity featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia sports assets. The home of American sports, ESPN showcases the very best live and studio sports programming coming out of the US as well as key international sporting leagues. NBA (National Basketball Association), NFL (National Football League), NHL (National Hockey League), MLB (Major League Baseball), MLR (Major League Rugby), NCAA Collegiate Sports and the latest from live football leagues including the Dutch Eredivisie, the English Football League, the Turkish Super Lig, The Saudi Pro League, the German DFB Pokal, the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), the UEFA Women’s Championship and the Scottish Premier League.
ESPN is available on MultiChoice’s DStv, on StarTimes across Africa and on Disney+ in South Africa.
For updates regarding basketball and other American sports, fans can connect to @ESPNAfrica on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www.espn.com
How to tune in to ESPN:
ESPN: DStv 218, StarTimes 248
ESPN2: DStv 219, StarTimes 249
- All times are stated in CAT / SAST.
- Schedule subject to change
ESPN linear channels are available on Disney+ in South Africa
