The New York Knicks swept the Cavaliers 130-93 in the Eastern Conference finals, while the San Antonio Spurs dethroned defending champion Oklahoma City 111-103 to advance to the finals.
The two finalists will play four games from June 4th to 11th. Three additional games are scheduled for 14th, 17th, and 20th June in case of a tie.
So, where can UK fans catch all the action live? Below, we tell you where to watch the NBA finals in the UK, so you don’t miss a second of the live NBA action.
Is the NBA Finals on TV in the UK?
It is streaming in the UK, but not where you might expect. Sky Sports had signed an 11-year deal to show the NBA matches in the UK, but they are not broadcasting the Finals.
This year, the NBA Finals is exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the UK and Ireland. Since this is not a free-to-air platform, you will need a subscription to access Prime.
Over in the US, every game is on ABC at 8:30 PM ET (1:30 am BST).
How to Watch the NBA Finals in the UK
Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video has the exclusive live rights for the 2026 NBA Finals in the UK. Pricing plan varies between a yearly subscription and monthly payments. New members might be able to grab a free trial (upon linking a credit card). Check Amazon Prime’s website for the available offers.
Prime runs on all devices like phones, tablets, smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, and your laptop via a browser. It also has Chromecast and AirPlay if you want to cast the game on a bigger screen from your phone.
If you are a Prime member, add the NBA Finals to your watchlist to receive notifications before tip-off. Since all the games will be at 1:30 am BST, setting an alarm and a reminder would be a good idea.
Sky Sports (For Regular Season)
Sky Sports isn’t showing the Finals, but it’s still the main home of the NBA throughout the regular season and the Conference playoffs. If you’ve been following the season, you’ve probably been watching on Sky already.
There are two ways to watch on Sky:
- Sky Go comes free with a Sky Sports subscription. Works on iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, and web browsers.
- Now Sports Membership lets you access all the Sky Sports channels. It’s available on smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Roku, Apple TV, and mobile.
NBA League Pass
League Pass is the NBA’s own streaming service. It’s a great option for UK fans because you won’t get the blackout restrictions that US subscribers have to deal with.
The League Pass is subscription-based. If you’re only interested in the Finals, take a one-month subscription. Just be aware that the Finals will be blacked out for viewers in the US and Canada. So, if you are watching from outside the UK, you may not be able to access it.
NBA Finals 2026 UK Start Times (BST)
All games tip off at 8:30 pm Eastern Time, which is 1:30 am BST for every game. Here’s the full schedule of the matches:
| Game | Date | Time (BST) |
| Game 1 | Thursday, 4th June | 1:30 AM |
| Game 2 | Saturday, 6th June | 2:30 AM |
| Game 3 | Tuesday, 9th June | 3:30 AM |
| Game 4 | Thursday, 11th June | 4:30 AM |
| Game 5 | Sunday, 14th June | 5:30 AM |
| Game 6 | Wednesday, 17th June | 6:30 AM |
| Game 7 | Saturday, 20th June | 7:30 AM |
Note: Games 5, 6, and 7 are optional. The series will progress to this stage if neither team manages to win all four games.
The Spurs, being the higher seed, will host the first two games at the Frost Bank Centre in San Antonio. The Knicks will host Games 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Then, the Spurs will host Games 5 and 7, if necessary, while the Knicks will host Game 6.
Can You Watch the NBA Finals for Free in the UK?
You won’t be able to catch the live game as it will be behind a Prime Video paywall. However, there are a few ways to follow the action without spending anything:
- Amazon Prime free trial for one month.
- NBA social media pages like Instagram, X, and TikTok post clips soon after the matches are over. You won’t get the full game, but you’ll be able to view the highlights.
- YouTube highlights on the NBA’s channel usually have extended highlights that go up within a couple of hours of the final buzzer.
- You can track live scores on the NBA app and several sportsbooks like 7bet.
FAQ
Where can I watch the NBA Finals in the UK?
Amazon Prime Video has the exclusive live rights in the UK and Ireland for the 2026 NBA Finals. You’ll need to sign up for a subscription to Prime. If you are a new member, you might be able to get a one-month free trial. Prime Video keeps all the games available to replay after they’ve aired, so you’ll be able to watch on demand.
Is the NBA Finals on Sky Sports?
Not this year. Sky Sports has a long-term NBA deal and shows the regular season and most of the playoffs, but the Finals itself is exclusively on Prime Video in 2025/26.
Can I watch the NBA Finals on the BBC or ITV?
No. There’s no free-to-air coverage of the NBA Finals in the UK. BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 aren’t involved.
What time do the NBA Finals start in the UK?
All games tip off at 8:30 PM Eastern Time, which is 1:30 AM BST. The series runs from 3 June to 19 June (if it goes the full seven games).
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