Here’s How to Watch 2026 NBA Draft Live Online for Free

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Now that the NBA Finals are over with the New York Knicks crowned as the new champions, the basketball league is already gearing up for next season with the Washington Wizards taking the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. It takes place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, starting on Tuesday (June 23) and broadcasts live on ABC and ESPN.

How to Watch 2026 NBA Draft Live Online, At a Glance:

Date: June 23-June 24
Network: ABC, ESPN
Online Streaming: DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Watch 2026 NBA Draft on DirecTV

Which Celebrities Are Making Appearances During NBA Draft?

It’s likely there may be a number of celebrities and famous recording artists in attendance during the two-night NBA Draft event in Brooklyn. Be on the lookout for stars and celebrities, like Wizards fans Wale, Dave Bautista, David Chang and others.

How to Watch the 2026 NBA Draft Online

The first round of the NBA Draft takes place on Tuesday (June 23) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC and ESPN, while the second round happens on the following day, Wednesday (June 24) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch the 2026 NBA Draft live online with a free trial from DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.

DirecTV

Get Five-Day Free Trial

Comes with a five-day free trial.

A subscription to DirecTV — which comes with ABC and ESPN — gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels with the streamer’s “Entertainment” package, starting at $59.99 per month for the first month of service ($89.99 per month afterward). The service even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free, if you sign up now.

Sling TV

Get Sling TV

Sling Orange & Blue comes with 50+ channels.

Sling TV offers Orange & Blue, which comes with ABC and ESPN. With more than 50 channels, the streaming plan goes for $60.99 per month and comes with a free cloud DVR and additional free channels. The streaming service has an add-on package called Sling Sports Extra, which comes with access to NBA TV, for an extra $11 per month. Please note: Pricing and channel availability vary from market-to-market.

FuboTV

Get Five-Day Free Trial

Fubo is an affordable option offering a five-day free trial for new users who sign up.

With prices starting at $58.99 per month for the first month of service, Fubo’s “Pro” plan is a cable alternative streaming service that offers the NBA Draft broadcasts on ABC and ESPN. The plan features more than 200 other channels, including FOX Sports, MLB.TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, NFL Network and others. Fubo comes with a five-day free trial, so you can try out the service before you commit month-to-month.

Hulu + Live TV

Get three-day free trial

Comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited.

For the best streaming bundle, you can sign up for Hulu + Live TV and get access to the Hulu library in addition to more than 90 live TV channels, including ABC and ESPN. The streaming platform starts at $89.99 per month. And, for even more programming, the streaming service comes bundled with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited.

ESPN Unlimited

Get espn unlimited here

Comes with all things ESPN.

ESPN Unlimited is the official streaming platform for ESPN. A subscription includes instant access for $29.99 per month. However, you can save almost 17% off by purchasing an annual subscription for $299.99 per year. It features every ESPN network, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, SEC Network+ and ACC Network Extra — all in one streaming service.

In addition to live sports, ESPN Unlimited has original programming to stream on demand. While the service doesn’t offer a free trial, you can still watch ESPN Unlimited with a clever workaround to watch online for free. Learn more about how to get a free trial to access ESPN Unlimited here.

What is the 2026 NBA Draft Order?

The teams that didn’t make the NBA Playoffs during the 2025-26 season (with some exceptions) were eligible to receive one of the first 14 picks via lottery in the NBA Draft.