Apple is taking spatial computing to the basketball court with a groundbreaking partnership that will bring live NBA games to the Vision Pro headset. In collaboration with Spectrum SportsNet, the tech giant announced it will stream select Los Angeles Lakers games during the 2025-2026 season using its proprietary Apple Immersive video format[1].
A Courtside Experience From Your Living Room
Basketball fans with Apple’s $3,500 headset will experience games with perspectives impossible to capture in traditional broadcasts[2]. The immersive format promises to make viewers feel as if they’re sitting courtside, capturing the intensity and atmosphere of live NBA action in ways that conventional television simply cannot match.
The games will be captured using the new URSA Cine Immersive Live camera from Blackmagic Design, a specialized version of the camera system launched earlier this year specifically designed for Apple Immersive content on Vision Pro[1]. This camera technology enables the spatial video capture that creates the three-dimensional viewing experience unique to Apple’s headset.
Regional Restrictions and Availability
Live game access will be limited to Vision Pro owners residing within the Lakers’ regional broadcast territory, which encompasses Southern California, Hawaii, and portions of southern Nevada including Las Vegas[1]. These games will stream through the forthcoming Spectrum SportsNet app for Vision Pro and will likely require a subscription to view[2].
However, Apple is extending the reach beyond regional boundaries for recorded content. Full game replays and highlights will be accessible to Apple Vision Pro users in select countries and regions through both the SportsNet and NBA apps[1]. This approach balances regional broadcasting rights while still providing international users with immersive basketball content.
Filling the Sports Content Gap
The NBA partnership addresses a notable gap in Vision Pro’s content library. While the headset has earned praise as an excellent media consumption device, mainstream sports programming that leverages its unique spatial capabilities has been scarce[2]. Apple already offers access to Friday Night Baseball and Major League Soccer, but the NBA represents the first major sports league to provide an experience specifically designed for the Vision Pro’s immersive capabilities.
The NBA visionOS app already includes innovative features such as real-time player statistics, multiview streaming for multiple simultaneous games, and a tabletop view displaying games on a miniature 3D court with tiny players[2]. The addition of live immersive broadcasts builds upon this foundation.
Timeline and Future Prospects
Apple and Spectrum SportsNet plan to announce the full schedule of games later this fall, with the first immersive broadcast expected to stream in early 2026[1]. This timing coincides with reports that Apple is shifting its development focus toward smart glasses rather than pursuing a lighter, more affordable Vision Pro model[2].
For existing Vision Pro owners, this NBA partnership represents exactly the type of exclusive content that can justify the headset’s premium price point. While not everyone follows the Lakers, the collaboration could open doors for more live sports partnerships across different leagues and teams in the future.
The move also demonstrates Apple’s commitment to the Apple Immersive format, which has already delivered content including the concert film featuring Metallica, “VIP: Yankee Stadium,” and “Tour De Force” from CANAL+ and MotoGP[1]. Sports broadcasting represents a natural evolution for this immersive technology, combining the unpredictability of live events with cutting-edge spatial video capture.
Sources:
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Apple Newsroom - Spectrum brings NBA games in Apple Immersive to Apple Vision Pro
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Engadget - Apple is bringing live NBA games to the Vision Pro in 2026
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Tom’s Guide - Apple Vision Pro is getting new immersive content