The NBA Conference Finals are the penultimate round of the NBA Playoffs, determining which two teams will contest the NBA Finals. Running from 19 May to 1 June 2026, the Eastern and Western Conference Finals each feature a best-of-seven series between the last two teams standing in their respective conferences. With the Oklahoma City Thunder defending their 2025 championship, the race to reach the Finals promises to be fiercely competitive across both conferences.
What Are the NBA Conference Finals?
The NBA Conference Finals represent the third and final round of the NBA Playoffs before the Finals. Two separate best-of-seven series run simultaneously: the Eastern Conference Finals and the Western Conference Finals. The winners of each series advance to the NBA Finals to compete for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
Each series follows a 2-2-1-1-1 format, meaning the higher-seeded team hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the lower-seeded team hosts Games 3, 4, and 6 (with Games 5, 6, and 7 played only if necessary). The first team to win four games advances. Home-court advantage is awarded to the team with the better regular-season record.
When Are the NBA Conference Finals?
The 2026 NBA Conference Finals are scheduled to run from Monday 19 May to Monday 1 June 2026. Exact game dates and tip-off times are confirmed once the second-round matchups conclude, as the schedule depends on how quickly earlier series are resolved. Games are typically played in the evening, with tip-off times between 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM ET (1:00 AM to 1:30 AM BST). The NBA Finals are set to begin on 3 June 2026.
Where Are the NBA Conference Finals?
Unlike a single-venue tournament, the Conference Finals are played across the home arenas of the four participating teams. Each series alternates between the two teams’ venues following the 2-2-1-1-1 hosting pattern. NBA arenas typically seat between 18,000 and 21,000 spectators, with playoff atmospheres among the most intense in professional sport. The specific venues will be confirmed once the semi-final round concludes and the four remaining teams are known.
Key Contenders
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the 2026 Playoffs as defending champions after defeating the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the 2025 NBA Finals. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, the Thunder started the 2025-26 season with a remarkable 24-1 record and hold the league’s number one overall seed. They are widely considered favourites to emerge from the Western Conference once again.
In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have secured the top seed, while the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks remain strong contenders. The San Antonio Spurs are also firmly in the mix in the West, currently tied for the second-best championship odds. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets round out the list of realistic conference finals contenders, making both brackets highly competitive.
How to Watch
In the United States, the two Conference Finals series are split between broadcast partners. For 2026, ESPN and ABC carry the Eastern Conference Finals, while NBC and Peacock broadcast the Western Conference Finals (the networks alternate conferences each year). Games are also available through ESPN+ and the Peacock streaming platform with their respective subscriptions.
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports is the primary broadcaster, showing over 100 live NBA games per season as part of an 11-year deal running until 2036. Amazon Prime Video also carries select NBA games in the UK, and TNT Sports (now streaming via HBO Max) provides additional coverage. NBA League Pass, available standalone or through Prime Video, offers comprehensive access to all playoff games for UK and international viewers.
In Australia, ESPN Australia carries NBA Playoff coverage, while NBA League Pass provides global access in most other international markets.
History and Records
The NBA Conference Finals have been a fixture of the league’s postseason since the conference format was established. The Los Angeles Lakers hold the record for most Conference Finals appearances with 24, including eight consecutive Western Conference Finals from 1982 to 1989. The Lakers have also won the most conference titles with 19. Among individual players, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for most Conference Finals appearances with 13, while LeBron James leads among recent players with 12 appearances. Michael Jordan holds the Eastern Conference single-game scoring record with 54 points against the Knicks in 1993, while Dirk Nowitzki holds the Western Conference record with 50 points in 2006.
Tickets and Attendance
Conference Finals tickets are sold through each team’s official ticketing channels and via Ticketmaster, the NBA’s official ticketing partner. Prices vary significantly depending on the matchup, venue, and seat location. Upper-level seats typically start from around $100 to $300, while lower-bowl and courtside seats can range from $700 to over $3,000 for high-demand games. Tickets are released once the Conference Finals matchups are confirmed, so fans should register for alerts through Ticketmaster or their team’s official website. Secondary market platforms such as SeatGeek, StubHub, and TickPick also list verified resale tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the NBA Conference Finals start?
The 2026 NBA Conference Finals are scheduled to begin on Monday 19 May 2026, with exact game times confirmed closer to the date.
Where are the NBA Conference Finals being held?
Games are played at the home arenas of the four participating teams, alternating between venues in a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
How can I watch the NBA Conference Finals?
In the US, the Eastern Conference Finals air on ABC/ESPN and the Western Conference Finals on NBC/Peacock. In the UK, coverage is available on Sky Sports, Prime Video, and TNT Sports via HBO Max. NBA League Pass provides international access.
Who won the NBA Conference Finals last year?
In 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals, while the Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals.