NBA Summer League Las Vegas: A Visitor's Guide to July Hoops

Every July, the NBA moves to Las Vegas for a week and a half. NBA Summer League Las Vegas puts all 30 teams on the court at the UNLV campus, and you can watch rookies, second-year players and future stars from a few rows back for a fraction of what a regular-season game costs. It is casual, loud and a lot of fun, even if you only know a few names on the roster.

This guide covers what Summer League is, when it runs, how the 11 days are organized, where the games are played, how to get there from the Strip, where to stay and how to handle the July heat. If you are new to the city, our Las Vegas Strip map with every hotel in order will help you see where your hotel sits compared with the arenas.

What is NBA Summer League, and why do fans love it?

Summer League is a showcase for players who are not yet established: draft picks, second-year players, free agents and hopefuls trying to earn a roster spot. The scores matter less than the chance to see tomorrow's stars up close. Sixteen No. 1 overall picks played here before their first NBA season, and seven future MVPs did too. The single-game records are a good reminder that anything can happen: Anthony Morrow scored 47 points, Malcolm Thomas grabbed 22 rebounds and Marcus Williams handed out 17 assists.

The event has grown fast. The 2004 edition had six teams, 13 games and an estimated 1,700 spectators. Since 2018 every one of the 30 teams has taken part, and 2026 was the 21st Las Vegas Summer League. It has run every year since 2004 except 2011 and 2020. In 2023, Victor Wembanyama's debut sold out with 17,500 people paying $45 or more. In 2022, more than 135,000 tickets were sold, about 70,000 hotel rooms were filled and the estimated economic impact was $125 million.

When is NBA Summer League in Las Vegas?

The 2026 NBA Summer League ran July 9 to 19 at the Thomas & Mack Center and the Pavilion. The 2025 edition ran July 10 to 20. The 2027 dates have not been announced as of October 8, 2026. The pattern is a start around July 9 or 10, 11 days of games and a final on a Sunday in the third week of July. Plan around those dates, but wait for the official schedule before you book anything you cannot cancel.

The 2026 final was a comeback. The Warriors trailed by 10 entering the fourth quarter, then beat the Grizzlies 94-90 on July 19. Yaxel Lendeborg was the championship game MVP with 21 points and 10 rebounds. It was the Warriors' second Summer League title after 2013.

Who were the top players at Summer League 2025 and 2026?

The last two Summer Leagues rewarded different kinds of performances. In 2025, Kyle Filipowski of the Jazz was named MVP after averaging 29.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists over three games, shooting 56.1% from the field. The title went to the Charlotte Hornets, who beat Sacramento 83-78, and Kon Knueppel of the Hornets was the championship game MVP. In 2026, MVP Yaxel Lendeborg led the champion Warriors. He averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in six games, then had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the 94-90 final over Memphis.

The pattern is easy to spot: in 2025 a big-number MVP came from a team that did not win, while in 2026 the MVP led the champion. Both MVPs and All-Summer League teams are picked by a vote of all 30 NBA teams, according to NBA's 2026 All-Summer League announcement. The First Team lists, including the 2025 All-Summer League teams, are a good set of names to watch when these players come back as NBA regulars. Keep in mind that neither year's honorees can be guaranteed to return to Las Vegas.

How do the 11 days of Summer League work?

In 2026, every team played at least five games. Here is how the format worked, according to the NBA.com 2026 format summary:

1. Each team plays four games in the opening round.

2. After the fourth game, the top four teams advance to the semifinals on July 18.

3. The championship game is on July 19.

4. The other 26 teams play a fifth, consolation game on July 17, 18 or 19.

The rules differ a little from a regular NBA game. Games have four 10-minute quarters and an 8-minute halftime. Overtime lasts two minutes, and after that it is sudden death: the first team to score wins. In most situations a foul gives one free throw, worth 1, 2 or 3 points, as in the G League. Players foul out at 10 fouls, or 6 in the semifinals and final. All 76 games in 2026 aired live on Prime Video or ESPN platforms, so you can follow games you miss from your hotel room.

Where are the games played?

All games are held on the UNLV campus in two arenas that sit right next to each other. Check which arena your ticket is for before you set out.

The Thomas & Mack Center is the larger of the two arenas. Arrive for warm-ups and you can watch the crowd build around the court.

The Pavilion, formerly Cox Pavilion, is at 4505 S Maryland Pkwy. NBA.com has described it as holding about 3,500 people. It is the more intimate of the two. Seats are close to the benches, so you can hear coaches and players talk. That is a big part of the charm for many fans.

How much are Summer League tickets?

Las Vegas Summer League tickets are sold through the official ticket link on the NBA.com Summer League page, which is where the NBA sends buyers. We could not find official 2026 or 2027 face values, so check the current price there before you plan a budget. For history, Wembanyama's 2023 debut drew 17,500 people paying $45 or more, and resale reportedly reached $96.

A few practical points:

• Popular sessions sell out. There were four sellout sessions before 2023 and three more that weekend.

• Ticket terms matter. Check whether a ticket covers one session, one arena or several games, and read the entry rules on the page.

• Bag rules and parking prices were not confirmed when we wrote this. Look at the arena's event page on UNLV Tickets before you go.

How do you get to the Thomas & Mack Center from the Strip?

UNLV is off the Strip, but not far. In a straight line, the arenas are 1.4 miles from MGM Grand, 1.5 miles from Sphere, 1.8 miles from Bellagio and 1.8 miles from Harry Reid International Airport.

For rideshare, the UNLV pickup and drop-off page explains that drivers use South University Center Dr, then Thomas and Mack Dr. For buses, use the RTC trip planner for current routes, because we did not confirm route numbers or fares.

The Las Vegas Monorail can help for part of the trip, ending at Monorail MGM Grand Station. From there you still need a ride to campus. For general options, see our guide to getting around Las Vegas. If you are flying in, our airport to Strip guide covers the first ride.

Where should you stay?

You have two good choices: stay on the Strip and ride to the games, or stay close to UNLV and skip most of the travel.

On the Strip, you get the full Vegas experience, and the arenas are a short ride away. Pick a hotel on the south end if you want the shortest trip. Staying near MGM Grand puts you closest to the Monorail terminus.

Near campus, a few hotels are very close:

• Hyatt Place Las Vegas is 0.39 miles from the Thomas & Mack Center.

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Las Vegas is 0.57 miles away.

• Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is 0.6 miles away.

These are straight-line distances too. Summer League fills a lot of rooms, as the 70,000 hotel rooms filled in 2022 show, so book as soon as your dates are firm. Because the dates for 2027 are not announced yet, choose a rate with free cancellation if you can.

How do you handle the July heat?

July is the hottest month in Las Vegas. According to National Weather Service normals, the average July high is 104.5°F and the low is 82.0°F. The all-time record high of 120°F was set on July 7, 2024. See the National Weather Service temperature overview for the full numbers.

A few sensible habits make the week easier:

• Plan your outdoor time for early morning and keep midday for indoor activities.

• Carry water and drink it before you feel thirsty.

• Wear light clothes, a hat and sunscreen for the walk from your ride to the door.

For how July compares with other months, see our best time to visit Las Vegas guide.

What else is there to do nearby?

Campus and the area around it have more than basketball. All of these are straight-line distances from the Thomas & Mack Center:

• Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art is 0.44 miles away, on campus.

• Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas is 0.44 miles away, if you want a German beer hall before or after a game.

• The Atomic Museum is 0.66 miles away.

• The UNLV Student Union is on campus.

When the games end for the day, the Strip is a short ride away. Our guide to Las Vegas shows and nightlife has ideas for the evening.