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How to Watch the Raptors and the NBA in Canada

Raptors games, national broadcasts and out-of-market teams: how NBA rights work in Canada and every way to watch without a cable box.

The Raptors are Canada's team in a way no NHL club can be, with fans from Victoria to St. John's. Following them without cable is straightforward once you understand who broadcasts what. And if you follow the league beyond Toronto, there are a few more pieces to fit together.

Where Raptors games air

Raptors games have historically been split between the two big Canadian sports broadcasters, Sportsnet and TSN, with each carrying roughly half the regular season. Because the games are shown nationally in Canada, both networks' broadcasts reach viewers across the country, not just in Ontario. Playoff games are shared between them as well.

That split is the main headache for cord-cutters: to see every game through official apps, you need both.

Your options without cable

OptionRaptorsOther NBA teamsNotes
Sportsnet+Sportsnet's shareNational broadcasts on SportsnetMonthly or yearly
TSN+TSN's shareNational broadcasts on TSNMonthly or yearly
NBA League PassUsually blacked out in CanadaOut-of-market gamesBest for fans of US teams
IPTV serviceBoth networks' gamesCanadian and US broadcastsOne app; quality and licensing vary by provider

Following an American team

Plenty of Canadians follow the Warriors, Lakers, Celtics or Knicks. NBA League Pass covers out-of-market games for those teams, with blackouts when a game is on Canadian TV. IPTV lineups that include US national sports channels and US regional sports networks can cover many of these games too, often with the home team's own broadcast crew.

The WNBA in Toronto

The Toronto Tempo brought the WNBA to Canada in 2026. Broadcast arrangements for a new franchise can shift in the early seasons, so check the team's schedule for where each game airs. Channels that carry the games are part of broader Canadian and US sports lineups.

Basketball beyond the NBA

Canada's own professional league, the CEBL, plays in the summer, with teams in cities including Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montréal and several across Ontario. International basketball, the EuroLeague and the FIBA competitions that feature Canada's national teams round out the calendar for serious fans.

Watching basketball on IPTV

  • Basketball is less demanding than hockey for motion, but late-game drama means you don't want a freeze. Use ethernet or strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
  • West Coast tip-offs at 10:30 p.m. Eastern are made for catch-up on supported channels.
  • A two-screen plan lets you follow two games during a busy playoff night.

See our wider IPTV for sports guide for set-up tips, or test it during a game with a free trial.

Questions

Where can I watch Raptors games in Canada?

Raptors games have traditionally been split between Sportsnet and TSN, which stream them on Sportsnet+ and TSN+ respectively. An IPTV service carrying both networks shows them in one app.

Does NBA League Pass include the Raptors in Canada?

League Pass is designed for out-of-market games, so Raptors games are typically blacked out for Canadian subscribers because they're broadcast locally.

Can I watch the NBA playoffs without cable?

Yes. Canadian playoff broadcasts air on Sportsnet and TSN, available through their streaming apps or an IPTV service that carries those channels.

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