Docomo, the Japanese technology company, has agreed a multi-year streaming deal with North American basketball’s NBA.
Through the agreement, which starts with the 2025-26 season, Docomo will stream live NBA games and original programming across its digital platforms, including the Lemino streaming service.
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This includes the 82-game regular season, playoffs (including the conference finals), the All-Star game, and NBA Summer League, as well as the NBA Finals every two years starting with the 2026-27 season.
Many games will be streamed with original Japanese commentary, and original NBA programming will be distributed, delivering game highlights, NBA results, and other latest news.
Subscribers to the Docomo Max and Docomo Point Activity Max services will have access to NBA content at no additional cost.
Docomo, owned by Japanese telecoms and IT giant NTT, and the NBA will also collaborate on fan engagement initiatives, including events, exclusive promotions, and invitations to NBA games.
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By GlobalDataThe company will share NBA rights in Japan for the upcoming season with the Amazon Prime Video streaming service.
Last season, live NBA coverage was provided in Japan by pay-TV broadcaster WOWOW and NBA TV, the league’s in-house channel. Games were also available in the territory via the NBA League Pass streaming service.
The NBA currently features two Japanese players, Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers and Yuki Kawamura of the Chicago Bulls.
Mark Tatum, NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer, said: “Docomo is a leading Japanese technology company with a wide presence across Japan that will help us further optimize the NBA viewing experience for Japanese fans.
“We look forward to working with Docomo to deliver rich NBA content to our fans across the country and connect with them in innovative new ways.”
The NBA has strong ties to Japan. Since 1990, the league has staged 16 preseason and regular-season games in the country, most recently in 2022.
In January 2025, the NBA and Japan's professional basketball league, B.League, announced a strategic partnership to promote the development of basketball in the territory.
