BROOKLYN — Mark your calendars for next Friday, October 24th, as the Brooklyn Nets hit the Barclays Center to open their 2025-26 season against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Presented by All In Won, the game is set to capture the essence of Brooklyn, mixing the best in music, food, art, and its iconic attitude.
Halfway through the game, Brooklyn’s own rapper Kota the Friend—recognized as a pioneering independent hip hop artist with global fame—will perform, turning halftime into a true celebration of home. Fresh from his NO RAP ON SUNDAY tour, Kota perfectly reflects the blend of hoops, culture, and unity that’s central to the Nets and Brooklyn at large.
“As we tip off again, we look forward to seeing fans return to Barclays Center for Nets basketball,” noted Andrew Karson, Executive Vice President of Sports and Corporate Marketing, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “We’re proud to showcase Brooklyn as a hub of sports, music, food, and creativity, both through our artists and by highlighting neighborhood businesses.”
Sampling the Borough: Barclays Eats
Barclays Center’s new concessions lineup gives a taste tour across borough favorites: grab a 7th Street Burgers Smashburger, try Parm’s spicy rigatoni, pick up a Levain Bakery cookie, or savor a Jamaican patty from Patty Palace by celebrated chef Kwame Onwuachi.
Don’t miss the new Brooklyn Signature drink—a mango margarita with spice inspired by local fruit vendors, served up in a souvenir cup that shouts “BK forever.”
This all falls under Brooklyn Taste, the arena’s ongoing spotlight on local favorites and authentic city experiences.
Barclays’ Upgraded Fan Experience
Revamped spaces heighten the experience this season. Gallagher Terrace premium club now has full waiter service with meals delivered right to your seat; upstairs, the new Modelo Bridge features 63 feet of bar space for mingling. These design updates turn the west end into a lively gathering spot for everyone.
On opening night, fans take home a free Nets T-shirt and get first dibs on the new Berō capsule—the team’s exclusive label fusing streetwear and sports—available at Section 9 and via NetsStore.com.
Borough Businesses Front and Center
True to their borough roots, the Nets start the celebrations in the neighborhood.
On Tuesday, October 21, the team will pop up at Electric Lotus Tattoo, a local favorite since 1993, and fans in Nets gear can score one of three design tattoos for free from 2–8 p.m.
Then on Thursday, October 23, the action moves to Levels Barbershop—another iconic Brooklyn business—where fans get complimentary lineups and Caesars from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Nets partnered with Levels recently for Practice in the Park, the team’s most-attended open practice ever at Bed-Stuy’s Potomac Playground.
The Main Event
Before Friday’s tipoff, Ticketmaster Plaza goes all out with a pre-game block party (1–4 p.m.)—look for hoops games, giveaways, DJs, and tours at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, the home base for Nets and New York Liberty youth programs.
That center, right next to Barclays, hosts the region’s only Shoot 360 training—proving Brooklyn’s always a step ahead.
Snag remaining tickets at brooklynnets.com, ticketmaster.com, or at Barclays Center’s box office. Groups: call 718-638-7849 or email [email protected].
Download the Brooklyn Nets app for team news and highlights, or watch live on the YES Network.
When Brooklyn turns out for basketball, it turns out for itself. And next Friday—when Kota the Friend’s halftime performance rings out—it’ll be more than just a game: it’ll be Brooklyn in full voice.
