Washington basketball enters a new era. After a transformative off-season and the continued growth of young star talent, the Washington Wizards head into the 2025-2026 NBA season with momentum and rising expectations. Fans across D.C. and beyond are watching closely—this could be the year the team makes a serious leap toward contention.
The NBA calendar is packed—82 regular-season games, possible play-in matchups, and high-stakes playoff runs. Missing a key game due to limited coverage or unavailable regional feeds isn’t an option for serious followers of the franchise. Selecting the right television and streaming package is the difference between following highlights the next day and experiencing the action in real time.
DirecTV brings full-season access to NBA basketball with a blend of national channels, regional sports networks, and premium add-ons, making it a powerful option for Wizards fans in 2025 and 2026. Whether watching from your living room or streaming on the go, DIRECTV offers solutions that meet the demands of true basketball fandom.
The most accurate and timely version of the Washington Wizards 2025–2026 season schedule is published on two key platforms: the official NBA website and the Washington Wizards official team site. Both outlets update match times, TV assignments, and potential rescheduling due to national broadcast priorities or unforeseen circumstances like weather.
Across the 82-game regular season, the Wizards will split their contests evenly—41 games at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., and 41 games on the road. Their home schedule includes early matchups against Eastern Conference rivals such as the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. Meanwhile, their away itinerary features coast-to-coast travel, including West Coast swings with games in Los Angeles, Golden State, and Portland.
Expect between 8 and 12 Wizards games to be broadcast nationally on networks such as ESPN, TNT, or ABC. Premier matchups, including games against title contenders or high-profile individual talent, typically fall under this category. For example, Wizards games versus the Lakers, Warriors, Bucks, and Celtics are often selected for national TV slots. These games are generally aired on:
All other games will be broadcast regionally on NBC Sports Washington, which provides localized coverage including pregame and postgame analysis tailored to Wizards fans.
The NBA leverages two broadcasting tiers to bring games to fans: national and regional. National broadcasts deliver marquee matchups, playoffs, and exclusive events to a wide audience, while regional networks handle the day-to-day coverage of individual teams, including the Washington Wizards. This structure allows both national exposure and consistent local access.
Games designated for national television appear on a fixed rotation of networks under the NBA’s media rights agreements. These include high-profile matchups—think opening night, Christmas Day games, and Sunday showdowns—typically not available on local stations even within the teams’ home markets.
Speculation around NBC Sports returning as an NBA broadcast partner has circulated widely following ongoing negotiations. If finalized, NBC’s involvement would reshape the weekend TV landscape, potentially replacing some of ABC’s or TNT’s national slots with weekend afternoon and evening broadcasts. Confirmed changes are expected to be announced ahead of the 2025–2026 tip-off.
The distinction between national and regional broadcasts determines where fans can watch a game. National games air coast to coast and override regional coverage when scheduled. In contrast, regional broadcasts serve local markets—such as NBC Sports Washington for the Wizards—covering nearly every game not picked up nationally.
This divide also influences blackout policies and subscription packages. Fans relying on DirecTV must account for both national networks and their regional sports network to gain full season coverage.
DIRECTV includes all the primary national channels that broadcast NBA games across the country. Subscribers get access to comprehensive coverage of prime-time NBA matchups and marquee events. Here’s a breakdown of the channels that air Washington Wizards games and other NBA action during the 2025–2026 season.
For local Washington Wizards coverage, DIRECTV includes NBC Sports Washington, the team’s official regional broadcaster. NBC Sports Washington typically airs the bulk of the Wizards’ regular season games that are not picked up by national outlets. Live commentary, pre/post-game coverage, and exclusive interviews round out its broadcast offerings.
Located on DIRECTV channel 642 for viewers in the Mid-Atlantic region, NBC Sports Washington is available through the Choice package and above. Out-of-market viewers won't receive RSN live game content due to NBA territory restrictions, but can still access team coverage through national broadcasts and NBA League Pass.
For full-season Washington Wizards coverage, DIRECTV’s sports packages provide layered access based on your subscription level. The right plan ensures access not just to nationally televised games, but also to matchups broadcast on regional networks and specialty sports channels.
The Choice package marks the entry point for NBA fans. This tier includes over 105 channels with crucial sports networks like ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV. These four channels alone cover a significant number of national NBA broadcasts each season.
Among DIRECTV’s base packages, Choice or higher is required for NBA TV access; NBA TV is not included in the most basic “Entertainment” package. Subscribers who opt for the Ultimate ($119.99/month) or Premier ($164.99/month) plans unlock additional regional and specialty sports programming, including key RSNs which may carry Wizards games.
DIRECTV routinely rolls out limited-time incentives at the start of the NBA season. Recent examples include:
Evaluating the lineup and monthly cost against your viewing habits will determine which tier or combination makes the most sense. Planning to watch every Wizards minute, home and away? Then pairing the Choice package with the League Pass add-on eliminates blind spots in game coverage.
DIRECTV subscribers in the Washington D.C. metro area get access to NBC Sports Washington (formerly known as Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic), the regional sports network that broadcasts nearly all local regular-season Washington Wizards games. On DIRECTV satellite service, NBC Sports Washington is available on channel 642, provided your billing ZIP code falls within the authorized viewing territory.
For fans using DIRECTV Stream, NBC Sports Washington is included with the Choice package and higher. This package tier unlocks RSNs based on your home location, verified during setup. Live Wizards broadcasts, pre-game shows, post-game analysis, and exclusive interviews air directly through this RSN.
Geographic rights restrict NBC Sports Washington access to viewers located in its defined market area, which includes:
If your location falls outside the designated zone, NBC Sports Washington won’t appear in your DIRECTV lineup—even if you subscribe to the correct package. This restriction applies to both satellite and DIRECTV Stream users. In those cases, Wizards games air nationally or can be accessed through NBA League Pass depending on the matchup and market conditions.
Living outside the region but still want access to NBC Sports Washington’s Wizards broadcasts? Fair question. DIRECTV Stream ties RSN availability to your billing and device location, leaving fans without legal options to access RSNs outside their home market through this service. However, some viewers use sports bars, shared accounts within eligible ZIP codes, or secondary residences to establish location credit within the RSN footprint.
Ultimately, fans located outside the D.C. metro region rely on national telecasts or NBA League Pass to follow the team consistently.
Choosing between DIRECTV Satellite and DIRECTV Stream depends on how you watch basketball. For fans committed to watching every Washington Wizards game live, both services offer solid access, but the experience differs in key ways—channel availability, equipment, contracts, and on-the-go flexibility.
DIRECTV Satellite offers a robust sports lineup through its CHOICE™ package and higher. This includes NBC Sports Washington, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. For households with stable satellite reception and a dedicated game-day setup, it delivers seamless access to regional broadcasts.
However, subscribers must sign a two-year contract with pricing that increases in the second year. Installation also involves satellite dish setup, which limits portability.
DIRECTV Stream competes on the strength of its user-friendly platform and freedom from contracts. With the CHOOSE PLAN or the CHOICE™ package, subscribers gain access to NBC Sports Washington, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV—identical to the satellite plan.
For fans who often travel, live in apartments, or want quick setup with minimal equipment, DIRECTV Stream provides a smoother experience. The trade-off? A stable and high-speed internet connection becomes essential during high-traffic events to avoid lag or resolution drops.
DIRECTV Satellite comes with a standard two-year contract. First-year pricing is competitive, but the cost rises in the second year. DIRECTV Stream, on the other hand, operates entirely month-to-month. There are no cancellation fees or long-term commitments, giving users full control over their subscription timeline.
Want to catch the Wizards' season opener from your vacation rental? DIRECTV Stream handles that. Prefer the stability of a full satellite setup at home with maximum HD quality? DIRECTV Satellite has you covered.
DIRECTV offers NBA League Pass as an add-on subscription, making it easy to follow every out-of-market Washington Wizards game during the 2025–2026 season. Subscribers can activate the package directly through their existing DIRECTV account, either online or via customer service.
The League Pass package feeds seamlessly into the DIRECTV interface, eliminating the need for external apps or devices. Once active, all League Pass games appear alongside regular channel programming on the guide, streamlining access for fans.
League Pass excels in delivering out-of-market content. That means if you live outside the Wizards’ regional broadcast zone, every regular-season game that isn’t nationally televised will be available live. For viewers inside the NBC Sports Washington footprint, local broadcasts take precedence; in that case, League Pass will not carry those specific games.
Nationally televised matchups on ABC, ESPN, or TNT also won’t appear on League Pass. DIRECTV carries those networks in its standard programming tiers, so fans still have total season-long coverage when combining both options.
NBA League Pass on DIRECTV for the 2025–2026 season is expected to start at $14.99/month or $99.99 for the full season for a single team. Full league access typically runs higher, around $199.99 for season-long access to all teams. Pricing can vary slightly based on promotional periods or billing packages.
Included with every subscription:
Once League Pass is activated, the DIRECTV Genie or compatible receiver recognizes the package and automatically updates the on-screen guide. Games populate under their respective channel numbers, typically within the 750–768 range. No app switching. No logins. Just press the channel number and watch.
Looking to watch on the go? The DIRECTV app recognizes your League Pass subscription and syncs with your account. Whether using a tablet, smartphone, or Smart TV app, games stream live with all the same features available through satellite or set-top boxes.
NBA blackout rules apply to protect local broadcast rights and national TV exclusivity agreements. When a Washington Wizards game airs on a regional sports network (like NBC Sports Washington) or on a national broadcaster (like ABC, ESPN, or TNT), the NBA may restrict availability on other platforms within certain geographic zones.
If you're located within the Wizards’ designated home market—including Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and parts of Maryland—you may find that certain games are blacked out on NBA League Pass. These restrictions also extend to nationally televised games when they're exclusive to one network.
While blackouts can be frustrating, several legal solutions exist to get around them. The effectiveness of each method depends on your location, your subscription setup, and how you prefer to watch games. Here’s what works:
Live broadcasts are highly segmented, but choosing your platform wisely will ensure you see every Wizards bucket this season. What combination gives you full-season coverage without missing a televised minute?
Cutting the cord doesn’t mean missing out on the Washington Wizards’ 2025–2026 season. Several reliable streaming options offer live access to both regional and national broadcasts. Whether you're following the full 82-game stretch or just tuning in for marquee matchups, there’s a setup that fits without relying on traditional cable.
DIRECTV Stream remains the only live TV streaming service that provides access to NBC Sports Washington—the regional sports network broadcasting most Wizards regular season games for in-market fans. Subscribing to the Choice package or above unlocks local RSNs including NBC Sports Washington, ESPN, TNT, and ABC, covering virtually all televised Wizards contests.
The Choice package includes over 100 channels and cloud DVR storage, enabling viewers to pause, rewind, and replay in-game action. It also supports multiple simultaneous streams for households with several viewers.
Several other streaming platforms carry national NBA broadcasts but fall short for regional coverage:
None of the above services replace DIRECTV Stream for in-market viewers needing complete Washington Wizards coverage during the regular season.
ABC still holds exclusive rights to select high-profile NBA games, particularly on weekends and during the NBA Finals. Use a digital antenna to access ABC broadcasts in crystal-clear HD without any subscriptions or fees.
Reception quality depends on geography, but viewers in Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland metro areas can typically receive strong OTA signals. Combine this with a DVR-capable tuner box, and the setup replicates traditional TV functionality with none of the recurring costs.
The NBA League Pass, integrated into the NBA app across mobile and smart TV platforms, delivers full-season Wizards coverage to out-of-market viewers. For those living outside NBC Sports Washington’s broadcast region, this is the most consistent method for watching every non-national game live and on-demand.
Choose from a Team Pass focused solely on Washington Wizards games or spring for the All Teams Pass to follow league-wide action. Every broadcast offers home and away commentary feeds and access to condensed replays for catch-up viewing in under 45 minutes.
Blackout restrictions still apply, but pairing League Pass with a VPN allows users to bypass in-market blocks efficiently, unlocking full game access through the app.
The most effective way to follow the Washington Wizards throughout the 2025–2026 season is through DIRECTV. With access to NBC Sports Washington, national broadcast channels like ESPN, TNT, ABC, and the integration of NBA League Pass, DIRECTV covers every angle. Whether you choose the satellite service or DIRECTV Stream, every game, from preseason tip-off to the final buzzer in spring, stays within reach.
Using DIRECTV requires no guesswork. Games air live through regional sports networks and are reinforced by comprehensive national coverage. Traveling? No problem. DIRECTV Stream gives you portability across devices so you won’t miss key plays when you're on the move. Prefer watching at home on a big screen? DIRECTV’s satellite service delivers HD broadcasts straight to your living room.
Game nights happen half the week, sometimes more. Why chase unreliable streams or wonder where the Wizards are playing next? DIRECTV consolidates it all. Jump between nationally televised matchups and local broadcasts without switching apps or jumping through hoops. Simple interface, maximum access.
Upgrade your DIRECTV Package today to catch every play of the 2025–2026 Washington Wizards season!
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