NBA Awards Schedule 2026: When Will MVP Be Announced?
The awards rollout is here.
www.si.comHere’s the latest on NBA awards announcement dates for 2026.
Key updates
- Most Valuable Player (MVP) finalists were announced and the winner was scheduled to be revealed on May 17, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime, preceding the relevant game. This followed a rollout pattern where several awards were announced in late April with others to be revealed during the playoffs.[1][3]
- The league has historically staggered awards like Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Rookie of the Year across late April, with MVP often announced during the conference finals or near the end of the playoffs. In 2026, multiple outlets and the NBA itself noted ongoing announcements through April and into May, culminating with MVP on May 17.[2][7][1]
What to expect next
- After MVP, other major awards typically announced include Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year, depending on the NBA’s schedule and TV windows. In 2026, these will likely follow the MVP reveal, or occur in the final days of April or early May, per the rolling schedule observed this season.[7][1]
- Some outlets provide projections or “finalists” lists ahead of the formal announcements. For example, finalists for awards were publicly shared by the league prior to the actual ceremonies, with final winners confirmed on subsequent broadcasts.[3][7]
Sources you can check for real-time confirmation
- NBA.com awards page for finalists and official announcement times
- NBC/USA broadcasts coverage pages that list exact dates and channels
- Sports media outlets (e.g., ESPN, The Athletic, HoopsRumors) tracking the schedule and finalists
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent official announcements and compile a concise date-by-date rundown with channels and winners as they’re confirmed.