2K has pulled back the curtain on NBA 2K27, revealing its cover athletes and locking in a release date. Announced July 22, 2026, this year's cover lineup spans three editions - and makes a little history along the way. The game arrives worldwide on September 4, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Three Covers, Three Stars
Each edition gets its own face of the franchise:
- Standard Edition ($69.99) - Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs center who made history as the NBA's first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year.
- Deluxe Edition ($99.99) - Caitlin Clark, who becomes the first WNBA player to headline her own global NBA 2K cover.
- Ultra Edition ($149.99) - Derrick Rose, the former MVP, in a legacy-cover slot.
What They Said
2K SVP and GM Zak Armitage framed the picks around the state of the sport: "Wembanyama has broken the mold for what a big man can be... Clark is redefining the women's game entirely." Wembanyama called it "a dream come true," while Clark noted that "to be the first WNBA player on her own global cover means women's basketball gets to show up on that stage too." Rose, ever the elder statesman, said he hoped "to inspire young athletes to stay obsessed with the game."
Dates You Need
Deluxe and Ultra Edition owners get in early with Early Access on August 28, ahead of the September 4 worldwide launch. And if you're waiting to see the game in motion, 2K has confirmed the first gameplay trailer drops July 28 - today's reveal was all about the covers and the roadmap.
Why It Matters
Caitlin Clark headlining her own global NBA 2K cover is the standout here - a genuine milestone for the WNBA's visibility in one of gaming's biggest annual franchises. Pair that with Wembanyama, the league's most singular young talent, and a legacy nod to Rose, and 2K has built a cover slate that's as much about where basketball is heading as where it's been. Gameplay details land July 28.
