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Whether you’re for Laker Nation or you bleed green, if you’re an American Express cardholder there’s an array of perks you can tap into.
Certified hoop-heads know that season tickets can be in high demand, depending on the teams, lineup and seating location, and one minor slip on ticket release day can leave a basketball fan in the trenches. Certain credit cards, however, offer advantages that can make snagging tickets easier, and Ticketmaster struggles more bearable. Nothing but net, baby.
You Shoot, You Score
American Express, the official card of the NBA and the WNBA, offers exclusive perks to cardholders throughout the season. The 2026 season begins in mid-October of 2025 and concludes in June 2026 with the NBA Finals, while the WNBA season typically begins in May and wraps up in October.
If you’re hoping to secure a few games courtside this season, you’re in luck. Amex cardholders get first dibs on presale tickets. Select events and seats will be available as the season progresses, prior to the event’s general sale. Tickets can only be purchased with an eligible American Express card. Fans can check back for presale access here.
Probably the most coveted perk is access to All-Star Game benefits, where top NBA players are selected to participate in the annual NBA All-Star Game, the main event of the NBA All-Star Weekend.
The All-Star Game will return February 13 to 15, 2026. In 2025, Amex cardholders received gifts with purchase at the event, enjoyed customized merch, complimentary food and drink and exclusive meet-and-greets with players.
Prepare in the Off-Season
While the NBA is currently still in the off-season and the WNBA is about to end its season, it’s the perfect time to gear up and prepare for things to kick back up again in a few weeks. Grabbing an American Express card can unlock a world of access and make it easier to experience live sports, with a little less chaos. Our favorite American Express cards can be your ticket:
- For the casual watchers: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is about as good a deal as anyone can ask for, with an annual fee of $0 and a long list of benefits (Terms apply, see rates & fees). This MVP does a lot of heavy lifting, earning cardholders cash back across categories like 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail purchases, and U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in eligible purchases, then 1%), and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout. Best of all, it gives new applicants the chance to earn cold hard cash, with an offer of a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.
- For the dribblers: If you have $150 to spare, getting the American Express® Green Card* might be a no-brainer, especially if you plan on traveling (for games). The card offers lucrative multipliers on travel and dining, including 3 points per dollar on travel and transit including flights, hotels, taxis, rideshare services, trains, parking and more, 3 points per dollar on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. New applicants can earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months, which they may choose to put toward a flight or hotel booking.
- For the high ballers: The Platinum Card® from American Express isn’t cheap, with an annual fee of $695 (Terms apply, see rates & fees) but if catching every game, be it live or on TV, is a priority for you, it may be worthwhile. The card offers luxury perks and a range of statement credits. You can get up to $240 in digital entertainment credit from big names like Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock and The Wall Street Journal, so you can stay up to date on player trade deals and game day events. The travel card is great if you plan on going out of town for games, as cardholders can earn 5 Membership Rewards® Points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel® and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. As a bonus, new applicants can earn a personalized offer as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership (approval required, welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer).
Bottom Line
If you’re an NBA fan, big or small, it pays to have an American Express card. Perks for live games and merch will open as the season kicks into gear, allowing plenty of time for basketball fans to sign up for their card of choice for access.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express please visit this page.