Sports are coming to the Apple Vision Pro — and not just on a floating window. Apple has announced that Vision Pro owners will soon be able to experience live LA Lakers NBA games in Apple Immersive Video, marking the first time that live sports will be streamed in Apple’s 3D spatial format.
The company says the format, captured in ultra-high resolution with a 180-degree field of view, recreates the feeling of sitting courtside — complete with depth, scale, and atmosphere that can’t be replicated in standard broadcasts. The Verge reports that Apple described the experience as one where “Vision Pro users will be able to feel the intensity of each game as if they were courtside, with perspectives that are impossible to capture in traditional broadcasts.”
The first Lakers game to be broadcast in Apple Immersive Video will arrive in early 2026, accessible through the NBA app and the new Spectrum SportsNet app for visionOS. Apple hasn’t yet shared the full list of games or dates, but more information is expected later this fall.
Viewers will need an Apple Vision Pro running visionOS 26 or later to stream the games. The feature will be part of Apple’s growing push to expand its immersive content library, which already includes nature documentaries, concert performances, and sports replays captured in the same spatial video format.
While the announcement focuses on the Lakers, Apple’s move signals a bigger play for immersive live entertainment. The Vision Pro’s ultra-high-resolution displays and spatial audio system make it uniquely suited for sports — a genre that thrives on crowd energy and dynamic camera angles.
Rumors continue to swirl about a second-generation Vision Pro, with speculation suggesting a lighter headset and lower price point could be on the way. Whether it arrives before the Lakers’ first tipoff remains to be seen.
For now, Apple seems intent on proving that the Vision Pro isn’t just for productivity or passive viewing — it’s for being there. Courtside. No ticket required.
