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<\/p>\nUpdated October 16, 2026<\/p>\n
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LeBron James plays his first regular-season home game in Philadelphia against the team that drafted him. The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena, and the game airs nationally on ESPN. On DIRECTV, that’s channel 206.<\/p>\n
It’s the 76ers’ home opener and the first game of an ESPN doubleheader that ends with Nuggets at Thunder at 9:30 p.m. It’s also Cleveland’s season opener. Here’s how to watch on DIRECTV, how to stream it and what to know before tip-off.<\/p>\n
Cavaliers vs. 76ers: quick facts<\/p>\n
DetailInfo<\/p>\n
DateThursday, October 22, 2026
\nTip-off7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT, 4 p.m. PT)
\nNational TVESPN, DIRECTV channel 206
\nStreamingESPN app with ESPN Unlimited; DIRECTV app
\nArenaXfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia
\nGame typeRegular season; 76ers’ home opener, Cavaliers’ season opener; first game of ESPN’s Thursday doubleheader<\/p>\n
What channel is Cavaliers vs. 76ers on DIRECTV?<\/p>\n
The game is on ESPN, channel 206. ESPN comes with DIRECTV’s ENTERTAINMENT package and higher, and with the MySports Genre Pack<\/a> for streaming customers. If you have ESPN, you have this game, with no extra add-on to buy. For more on the channel, see our guide to ESPN on DIRECTV<\/a>.<\/p>\n To find it fast, press Guide and go to 206, or search “76ers” or “Cavaliers” to see every upcoming airing. Not sure your package includes ESPN? Call 1-855-690-9884<\/a> and we’ll check.<\/p>\n This is a national ESPN game, and as of Oct. 16 neither the NBA’s nor ESPN’s game listing showed a local telecast. On other nights, 76ers local games air on NBC Sports Philadelphia, a regional network that comes with CHOICE and higher where DIRECTV carries it in your ZIP code. Cavaliers local games stream on DAZN, which is a separate subscription and not a DIRECTV channel. For this game, ESPN is the place to watch in Philadelphia, Cleveland and everywhere else.<\/p>\n How to stream Cavaliers vs. 76ers<\/p>\n DIRECTV app: ESPN streams live in the DIRECTV app on your phone, tablet or streaming device with a package that includes it. Cavaliers vs. 76ers channels on DIRECTV<\/p>\n NetworkDIRECTV channelWho gets it<\/p>\n ESPN206ENTERTAINMENT and higher; MySports Genre Pack What to know before tip-off<\/p>\n LeBron’s Philadelphia home debut: the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and four-time MVP joined the 76ers in the offseason, and Cleveland drafted him first overall in 2003. ESPN’s Thursday doubleheader<\/p>\n Both Thursday games are on ESPN, so channel 206 covers the whole night:<\/p>\n Tip-off (ET)GameArenaTV<\/p>\n 7 p.m.Cavaliers at 76ersXfinity Mobile Arena, PhiladelphiaESPN (206) Cavaliers and 76ers on national TV: opening weeks<\/p>\n DateGameTime (ET)National TV<\/p>\n Tue., Oct. 2076ers at Knicks (opening night)<\/a>7 p.m.NBC and Peacock Prime Video and Peacock games stream in those apps, which need their own subscriptions and run on DIRECTV Gemini devices. Peacock’s Monday games also air on NBCSN, which isn’t in DIRECTV’s lineup. Team-by-team local channels, League Pass details and the full national schedule are in our guide to watching the NBA on DIRECTV<\/a>.<\/p>\n Which DIRECTV package is best for Cavaliers and 76ers fans?<\/p>\n ENTERTAINMENT: includes ESPN (206) and ESPN2 (209) for this game and other national ESPN games, plus your local ABC and NBC stations where available. Out-of-market fans can follow either team’s local games with NBA League Pass<\/a>, a DIRECTV add-on. Want ESPN and NBA TV on one plan before October 22? Check DIRECTV options at your address<\/a> or call 1-855-690-9884<\/a>.<\/p>\n Frequently asked questions<\/p>\n What time is Cavaliers vs. 76ers on October 22?<\/p>\n Tip-off is 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n What channel is Cavaliers vs. 76ers on DIRECTV?<\/p>\n ESPN airs the game nationally. On DIRECTV, ESPN is channel 206 with ENTERTAINMENT and higher and with the MySports Genre Pack. It also streams in the DIRECTV app and the ESPN app.<\/p>\n Is Cavaliers vs. 76ers on NBC Sports Philadelphia?<\/p>\n As of Oct. 16, the NBA and ESPN listed only ESPN for this game, with no local telecast. NBC Sports Philadelphia carries most other 76ers games. Check your DIRECTV guide on game day in case a local broadcast is added.<\/p>\n Can I watch Cavaliers vs. 76ers on League Pass?<\/p>\n No. National ESPN games aren’t available live on NBA League Pass. Watch on ESPN, channel 206, or in the ESPN app.<\/p>\n What else is on ESPN that night?<\/p>\n ESPN’s doubleheader continues with Nuggets at Thunder at 9:30 p.m. ET, so channel 206 carries both games.<\/p>\n
\nESPN app: the game streams with ESPN Unlimited, which DIRECTV offers at no extra cost to eligible customers.
\nDIRECTV streaming: the MySports Genre Pack includes ESPN, ESPN2 and NBA TV.
\nNBA League Pass: national ESPN games aren’t available live on League Pass.<\/p>\n
\nESPN2209ENTERTAINMENT and higher (not airing this game)
\nNBA TV216CHOICE and higher; MySports (carries Bucks at 76ers on Oct. 24)
\nNBC Sports Philadelphia (76ers local, other nights)Regional sports networkCHOICE and higher where DIRECTV carries it in your ZIP code
\nDAZN (Cavaliers local, other nights)Not a DIRECTV channelSeparate DAZN subscription<\/p>\n
\nA new-look 76ers roster: Philadelphia also added Jaylen Brown, alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
\nCleveland’s backcourt: the Cavaliers bring Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, the 2017-18 MVP, after reaching the 2026 Eastern Conference finals.
\nOpening week for both teams: the 76ers open Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Knicks on NBC, and the Cavaliers start their season in Philadelphia.
\nCheck availability on game day: both teams post injury reports before tip-off, so confirm who’s playing that afternoon.<\/p>\n
\n9:30 p.m.Nuggets at Thunder<\/a>Paycom Center, Oklahoma CityESPN (206)<\/p>\n
\nThu., Oct. 22Cavaliers at 76ers7 p.m.ESPN (206)
\nSat., Oct. 24Bucks at 76ers7:30 p.m.NBA TV (216)
\nWed., Oct. 2876ers at Pacers7 p.m.ESPN (206)
\nFri., Oct. 30Knicks at 76ers7:30 p.m.Prime Video (app)
\nMon., Nov. 2Thunder at Cavaliers7 p.m.Peacock (app)
\nSat., Nov. 7Knicks at Cavaliers8 p.m.NBA TV (216)<\/p>\n
\nCHOICE: adds NBA TV (216)<\/a> for about 60 regular-season games starting Oct. 24, plus regional sports networks like NBC Sports Philadelphia where DIRECTV carries them.
\nMySports Genre Pack: a sports-focused streaming option with ESPN, NBA TV and local channels where available.<\/p>\n