NBA 2K26 Early Access Date, Time, Editions, and What You Need to Know
- Sagar Mankar
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
NBA 2K26 is set to release on September 5, 2025, but players who pre-order select editions can jump in a full week earlier. The game continues the annual trend of offering early access as a pre-order incentive, giving dedicated fans a head start on the new season.
For anyone eager to get on the court sooner, early access officially begins on August 29, 2025, at 9 AM PDT, according to the game’s official FAQ. However, the exact start time varies depending on where you live. That's why we bring various regional times.
NBA 2K26 Early Access Times
Los Angeles (PT): Aug 29 — 9:00 AM
Chicago (CT): Aug 29 — 11:00 AM
New York (ET): Aug 29 — 12:00 PM
Mexico City (CDT): Aug 29 — 11:00 AM
São Paulo (BRT): Aug 29 — 1:00 PM
London (BST) Aug 29 — 5:00 PM
Paris/Berlin (CEST): Aug 29 — 6:00 PM
Cape Town (SAST): Aug 29 — 6:00 PM
Dubai (GST): Aug 29 — 8:00 PM
Mumbai (IST): Aug 29 — 9:30 PM
Jakarta (WIB): Aug 29 — 11:00 PM
Tokyo (JST): Aug 30 — 1:00 AM
Sydney (AET): Aug 30 — 2:00 AM
Auckland (NZST): Aug 30 — 4:00 AM
How to Get 7-Day Early Access
Not every version of NBA 2K26 offers early access. To qualify, players need to pre-order either the Superstar Edition or the Leave No Doubt Edition. Both editions unlock up to seven days of gameplay before the global launch.
NBA 2K26 Editions and Pricing
This year’s lineup includes four distinct editions, each tailored for different types of fans:
Standard Edition – $69.99 ($59.99 on Nintendo Switch standard). Comes with 10,000 VC as a pre-order bonus.
WNBA Edition – $69.99, exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, physical only in the U.S. Focuses on women’s basketball and the WNBA.
Superstar Edition – $99.99, digital only on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Includes 100,000 VC, MyTEAM and MyCAREER bonuses, and 7-day early access.
Leave No Doubt Edition – $149.99, digital only on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (not available in Belgium or South Korea). Offers 135,000 VC, extra content, and 7-day early access. Available until September 7, 2025.
NBA 2K26 may not reinvent the wheel, but with its polished gameplay, community-driven modes, and a strong soundtrack, it’s bound to keep its place as one of the most popular annual sports titles.
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