Apple Vision Pro brings NBA games to life with Apple Immersive Apfelpatient

Apple is opening a new door to the world of sports. With Apple Immersive and Apple Vision Pro, watching basketball games becomes an experience that goes beyond traditional broadcasts. Thanks to a collaboration with Spectrum SportsNet, NBA fans can experience Los Angeles Lakers games in the 2025-26 season as if they were on the sidelines themselves. The new technology combines elite sports with immersive visuals, creating a realistic sense of proximity and presence.

The Apple Vision Pro isn't just a headset; it's a platform for a new way to experience content. With Apple Immersive, Apple adds a spatial dimension to visual storytelling. Documentaries, music, sports, and entertainment become experiences that put the viewer right in the middle of the action. The integration of NBA games demonstrates how far Apple has taken this technology. Basketball isn't just shown here, it's made almost tangible.

Live basketball with Apple Immersive

Spectrum SportsNet will bring a selection of live Los Angeles Lakers games to Apple Vision Pro starting in the 2025-26 season using Apple Immersive. Viewers will be able to watch the games in an immersive environment, experiencing perspectives not available on traditional TV broadcasts. The first game will be streamed in early 2026, with the detailed schedule to be released throughout fall 2025. The broadcasts will be available via the upcoming Spectrum SportsNet app for the Vision Pro.

In addition to live games, full replays and highlights are available. This content is available to Apple Vision Pro users in select countries and regions via the Spectrum SportsNet app and the NBA app. The footage is captured by the new URSA Cine Immersive Live camera from Blackmagic Design. This camera, specifically designed for Apple Immersive, delivers crisp, clear images with spatial depth. It will debut at Lakers games and will also be available separately in 2026.

Regional availability and streaming

Live games are available to fans in the Lakers' regional broadcast area, which includes Southern California, Hawaii, and parts of Southern Nevada, including Las Vegas. Those wishing to watch outside of these areas may be subject to regional restrictions. Replays and highlights in Apple Immersive will be available one to three days after the game in the Spectrum SportsNet and NBA apps.

A Spectrum Broadband or Spectrum SportsNet subscription is required to use the Spectrum SportsNet app. The Spectrum TV app for iPad is also available on Vision Pro. It allows subscribers to watch classic game broadcasts live and on-demand on a large, virtual, cinema-quality display.

The NBA app on the Apple Vision Pro

The NBA app brings additional features to the Apple Vision Pro. With an active NBA League Pass, up to five live games can be watched simultaneously in 2D using multiview mode. Real-time stats display player and game data during the game. The court can also be displayed in 3D using Tabletop mode, allowing players to view movements and plays in miniature from above.

The NBA app for Apple Vision Pro is available for free in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the UAE, the U.K., and the U.S. An NBA ID is required to watch live games, replays, and highlights on Apple Immersive. An NBA League Pass is required for traditional broadcasts.

Apple Vision Pro and Apple Immersive as a platform

Apple Immersive is far more than just a sports feature. In addition to the new NBA broadcasts, the platform offers a growing selection of original content. This includes productions such as "Adventure," "Metallica," "VIP: Yankee Stadium," and "Tour De Force" from CANAL+ and MotoGP. More immersive films from global brands such as the Audi F1 Team and Red Bull are in the works and will be released in the coming months.

With the Vision Pro, this content can be experienced with realistic depth and spatial sound. Apple positions the technology as a new medium that not only looks, but also makes it tangible.

Prices and availability

Apple Vision Pro is available in Australia, Canada, mainland China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the UAE, the U.K., and the U.S. Demos can be booked online or experienced in person at Apple Stores.

Lakers games on Apple Immersive from Spectrum SportsNet are available to Apple Vision Pro users with visionOS 26 or later. In the US, they are available live and on-demand via the Spectrum SportsNet and NBA apps.

Replays and highlights will be available on both apps one to three days after the game ends. Those living outside the broadcast area may be subject to regional restrictions.

NBA: Apple Immersive changes the viewer perspective

With Apple Immersive, Apple is adding a whole new dimension to the sports and entertainment experience. The partnership with Spectrum SportsNet and the NBA demonstrates how firmly the Vision Pro is establishing itself as a platform for interactive and spatial content. The combination of technology, image quality, and immersion creates an experience that transcends the limitations of traditional sports broadcasts. Basketball is no longer just seen here, but experienced – another step in Apple's consistent development toward new forms of digital reality. (Image: Shutterstock / BATKA)