The full 2026-27 NBA schedule is expected to be released in the next week, but there are already a few key dates that should be circled on Miami Heat fans' calendars when it comes to the upcoming season.
NBA Training Camp will officially open for the Heat in late September, with their first pre-season game slated to take place on October 3 in Quebec City. Miami will face the Toronto Raptors to open their pre-season schedule.
After that, the Heat will play four other pre-season games to close out their exhibition schedule, with the regular-season slate beginning shortly after that. Here is the Heat's official pre-season schedule:
2026 Heat pre-season regular season
October 3: Heat @ Raptors (in Quebec City) - 6:00 p.m.
October 8: Heat vs Pelicans - 6:30 p.m.
October 10: Heat vs Timberwolves - 7:00 p.m.
October 14: Heat vs Nets - 6:30 p.m.
October 16: Heat @ Magic - 6:00 p.m.
The NBA's opening night is generally a few days after the pre-season ends, and you'd imagine that will probably end up taking place on Tuesday, October 20.
In addition to the full pre-season slate, there are a few other dates that are known about the regular season. Again, the full schedule hasn't been released yet, but the Heat knows what group they're in for the NBA Cup, and when those games will take place.
The Heat finds itself with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana Pacers in Group East B. Group play will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the first portion of the season.
Key dates for the NBA Cup 2026
- Group Play:Â Oct. 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20, 24, 25 & 27
- Quarterfinals:Â Dec. 4-5
- Semifinals:Â Dec. 8 and/or Dec. 9
- Championship:Â Dec. 11
The full NBA regular season schedule is likely to be released in the next few days, but the leaks of opening night and probably Christmas Day (and other holidays) will likely be known any minute.
And specifically for Heat fans, the hype heading into the new year is at an all-time high. After the move for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Heat fans have been eagerly waiting for the season to start. They still have a couple more months before that happens, but the official schedule release will certainly help get the competitive blood flowing for Heat fans.
The NBA season will be here soon enough, and the excitement for Heat fans is through the roof.
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