Apple has partnered with Spectrum SportsNet to bring select Los Angeles Lakers games to the Apple Vision Pro, starting with the 2025-2026 NBA season, with the first games expected to stream in early 2026.
The live broadcasts will utilize the Apple Immersive Video format, a VR-oriented filming style that was previously used for a Metallica concert film released earlier this year. According to Apple, this format will allow for “perspectives impossible to capture in traditional broadcasts.” The immersive viewing experience is expected to enhance the way fans engage with the game.
Access to the live games will be limited to Vision Pro owners within the Lakers’ regional broadcast territory, which includes Southern California, Hawaii, and parts of southern Nevada. It is likely that viewing the live streams will require a subscription. After the live events, full game replays and highlights will be available in “select countries and regions from both the SportsNet and NBA apps.” Further details, including the final schedule, are expected to be announced by Apple and Spectrum in the fall.
The Vision Pro has been generally well-received as a media consumption device, but sports programming that fully utilizes its capabilities has been limited. Currently, Apple offers immersive viewing experiences for Friday Night Baseball and Major League Soccer. The NBA is the only major sports league to have created an experience specifically for the Vision Pro, with its existing visionOS application offering features such as real-time player statistics and a multiview format that allows users to stream multiple games simultaneously. The app also includes a tabletop view that projects a 3D court with miniature players onto the user’s physical space, further enhancing the immersive experience.
This expansion of content for the Vision Pro aligns with recent reports suggesting that Apple is prioritizing the development of smart glasses over creating a lighter and more affordable version of the current headset. This strategy indicates a focus on providing new content and experiences for existing Vision Pro owners, potentially increasing the device’s appeal and utility.
