NBA Summer League 2026: Start date, schedule, location and more

NBA Summer League 2026 is just around the corner, with the league's annual showcase for rookies and young talent set to begin on July 3 with the California Classic before shifting to Salt Lake City and Las Vegas later in the month.

The event will provide the first look at several top selections from the 2026 NBA Draft as they begin their professional journeys.This year's Summer League carries added intrigue because fans are expected to see top draft picks AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer make their unofficial NBA debuts. The games offer teams an opportunity to evaluate rookies, second-year players, and developmental prospects ahead of training camp and the regular season.

When does the Summer League start?

The 2026 Summer League schedule begins with the California Classic on July 3. The event will be split between San Francisco and Sacramento, with the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings serving as hosts.

Action then moves to the Salt Lake City Summer League beginning July 4 before the NBA's premier summer showcase opens in Las Vegas on July 9. The Las Vegas event remains the centerpiece of the offseason calendar and runs through July 19 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

2026 NBA Summer League dates

The NBA's offseason showcase is spread across three separate events in California, Utah, and Nevada. Together, they provide teams with valuable opportunities to evaluate newly drafted players and young roster hopefuls before training camp.

Salt Lake City Summer League schedule

The Salt Lake City Summer League will feature the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz. Several of the league's newest prospects are expected to see extended playing time as organizations begin evaluating their rookie classes.The event also serves as a lead-in to Las Vegas, where many of the same players will continue their summer development. One of the most anticipated storylines centers on Utah's Darryn Peterson, who was selected No. 2 overall after Washington chose AJ Dybantsa with the first pick.Peterson acknowledged the motivation that came from narrowly missing out on becoming the top selection.

"Obviously, I wanted to be the No. 1 pick, but I went No. 2. So now I'm prepared to go to Utah and get to work.

There's always been a chip on my shoulder, so I wouldn't say it added anything else. But now it will always be in my mind for my whole career."Salt Lake City Summer League schedule (all times Eastern)

The July 9 matchup between the Wizards and Jazz is expected to be one of the headline attractions of the entire summer schedule. The game will likely feature No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa facing No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson in their first professional meeting. Dybantsa arrives after a dominant season at BYU, where he led the nation with 25.5 points per game while adding 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists.Meanwhile, Peterson showed significant promise during his lone season at Kansas despite injuries limiting him to 24 games. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 38.2 percent from three-point range.The 2026 California Classic will be held in two locations, with the Warriors and Kings serving as dual hosts. The Warriors will host games at the Chase Center in San Francisco on July 3, 5, and 6, while the Kings will host games at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento from July 4 through July 6. Team participation details have not yet been announced.Las Vegas Summer League action will run from July 9 through July 19 at the Thomas & Mack Center. Additional schedule details, participating rosters, and broadcast information are still pending release from the NBA.