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NBA Expansion Watch

No NBA team has been awarded to Las Vegas yet. On March 25, 2026, the NBA Board of Governors voted to formally explore expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle. As of early October 2026, a winning Las Vegas bid is reportedly expected 'in the next month, or so,' from three finalist groups, with play targeted for 2028–29. [1][2]

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026

Official statusExploration authorized Mar. 25, 2026. No team awarded [1]
Reported decision window'In the next month, or so,' per a source cited Oct. 3, 2026 [2]
Votes needed23 of 30 owners (reported) [2]
Reported bid groupsBill Foley & Jerry Colangelo; Nancy Walton Laurie & Bill Laurie; Marc Lasry & Steve Apostolopoulos [2]
Reported fee$12–13 billion including arena costs (per ESPN, via the Review-Journal) [2]
Target start2028–29 season, with discussion of 2029–30 (reported) [2]

What's next?

What's confirmed vs. reported?

Confirmed (official): On March 25, 2026, the NBA Board of Governors "voted to authorize the league to formally explore potential team expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle," with investment bank PJT Partners as strategic adviser [1]. Commissioner Adam Silver said: "Today's vote reflects our Board's interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle – two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball." [1]

Hearing (reported, not official): three finalist groups, a decision in roughly a month, a 23-of-30 owner vote, an expected $12–13 billion fee, and a 2028–29 start [2]. We'll move each item to Confirmed only when the NBA announces it. See how we verify.

Why Las Vegas is ready

Las Vegas already hosts plenty of NBA basketball: the 2007 All-Star Game [4], every NBA Cup final four from 2023 to 2025 [5], and the Summer League since 2004 [6].

NBA Expansion Watch: the timeline

  1. BasketballFeb. 18, 2007
    The NBA All-Star Game comes to a city without a team

    The West beat the East 153–132 at the Thomas & Mack Center, and Kobe Bryant was MVP. It was the first All-Star Game held in a non-NBA city.[7][4]

    Thomas & Mack Center · permalink
  2. BasketballDec. 9, 2023
    The first NBA Cup is decided in Las Vegas

    The Lakers beat the Pacers in the In-Season Tournament championship at T-Mobile Arena, with LeBron James named MVP.[8][5]

    T-Mobile Arena · permalink
  3. BasketballDec. 17, 2024
    The Bucks win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas

    Milwaukee beat Oklahoma City in the second NBA Cup final, again at T-Mobile Arena.[5]

    T-Mobile Arena · permalink
  4. BasketballDec. 16, 2025
    The Knicks win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas

    New York beat San Antonio in the third NBA Cup final at T-Mobile Arena, then beat the Spurs again in the 2026 NBA Finals.[5]

    T-Mobile Arena · permalink
  5. BasketballMarch 25, 2026
    The NBA formally explores Las Vegas expansion

    The Board of Governors voted to authorize the league to explore expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle.[1]

    permalink

Frequently asked questions

Does Las Vegas have an NBA team?

Not yet. The NBA is formally exploring expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle but hasn't awarded a team. [1]

When will the NBA decide on Las Vegas?

On Oct. 3, 2026 the Review-Journal reported that a winner is expected 'in the next month, or so.' Approval would need 23 of the 30 current owners. [2]

Where would a Las Vegas NBA team play?

Reportedly at T-Mobile Arena on an interim basis while the winning group builds a new arena. [2]

Has Las Vegas hosted NBA games before?

Yes: the 2007 All-Star Game, the NBA Cup semifinals and final at T-Mobile Arena from 2023 to 2025, and the Las Vegas Summer League every year since 2004. The Lakers and Warriors also play a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 13, 2026. [4][5][6][3]

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Sources

  1. NBA Board of Governors approves exploration of expansion to Seattle, Las Vegas (Mar 25, 2026) — NBA.com. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  2. NBA Las Vegas expansion: When could the winning bid group be chosen? (Oct 3, 2026) — Las Vegas Review-Journal. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  3. Warriors vs Lakers, Oct 13, 2026, Las Vegas — NBA.com. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  4. Thomas & Mack Center — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  5. NBA Cup — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  6. NBA Summer League — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  7. 2007 NBA All-Star Game — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.
  8. 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament — Wikipedia — Wikipedia. Accessed Oct. 8, 2026.