Vancouver hoops fans are in for a real treat this fall — three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić is heading to town. The Toronto Raptors will launch their 2025‑26 preseason in Vancouver on October 6, facing off against Jokić and the Denver Nuggets at Rogers Arena.
This marks the seventh Canada Series game in Vancouver and the first since 2023, when the Raptors beat the Sacramento Kings 112–99.
Tickets go on sale August 27, and if past games are any indication, the arena will be packed with fans eager to catch a rare glimpse of NBA action in B.C.
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Before arriving in Vancouver, the Raptors will hold their training camp in Calgary from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 — the first time in franchise history camp is being held in Alberta. The camp will wrap with an open practice on Oct. 3, giving fans in Calgary a chance to see the team up close.
“It’s been nearly a decade since we were last in Calgary, so we’re excited to be spending the better part of a week in Stampede City,” said Raptors general manager Bobby Webster. “Training camp is really important for our team… We think Calgary will be great — the facilities at UCalgary are top-class.”
Following the game in Vancouver, Toronto will travel to Sacramento to face the Kings on Oct. 8, then return home to host the Boston Celtics on Oct. 10 at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors will also take on the Wizards, Celtics, and Nets before the regular season tips off later in October.
The Raptors full pre-season schedule:
Oct. 6 vs. Nuggets (Rogers Arena, Vancouver)
Oct. 8 at Kings (Golden1 Center, Sacramento)
Oct. 10 vs. Celtics (Scotiabank Arena, Toronto)
Oct. 12 at Wizards (Capital One Arena, Washington)
Oct. 15 at Celtics (TD Garden, Boston)
Oct. 17 vs. Nets (Scotiabank Arena, Toronto)
Whether you’re a die-hard Raps fan or just hungry for pro basketball in B.C., this matchup is a rare chance to see Canada’s only NBA team — and some of the country’s top talent — live in Vancouver.
Dallas Mavericks in Vancouver
The Dallas Mavericks are set to hold their 2025 NBA training camp in Vancouver, marking a significant moment for the city as it hosts a major NBA team preparing for the upcoming season.
With star players like Anthony Davis leading the squad, the Mavericks’ arrival shines a bright spotlight on Vancouver as an emerging hub for basketball in Canada. While the Mavericks won’t be playing any preseason games in the city, their training camp presence brings fans closer than ever to an elite NBA team.
This move underscores Vancouver’s growing reputation as a world-class basketball city with the infrastructure and passionate fan base to support high-level NBA activities. It also adds to the excitement of the Raptors’ preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Rogers Arena, making this fall one of the most thrilling NBA seasons for Vancouver basketball fans since the days of the Vancouver Grizzlies.
