Apple has taken a major step into immersive sports by releasing its first full NBA game in Apple Immersive Video. The matchup, featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, is now available to watch for free on Apple Vision Pro through the NBA app. The game originally took place on January 9 and marks a milestone for live sports in spatial video.
This release highlights a long-promised use case for Apple’s mixed reality headset. For the first time, fans can experience a complete professional basketball game in an immersive format rather than short clips.
What Makes the Experience Different
Unlike traditional broadcasts, the immersive version places viewers virtually courtside. As a result, fans can look around the arena, follow the action naturally, and even glance at real scoreboards. In addition, spatial audio enhances realism by separating announcer commentary from arena sounds.
Although viewers cannot switch camera angles manually, Apple carefully selected viewpoints. These angles create the feeling of sitting among the crowd rather than watching a flat screen. According to early impressions, the video quality remains high, though not as detailed as some pre-recorded immersive content.
A Free Entry Point for Vision Pro Owners
Importantly, Apple made this immersive Lakers game free. All users need is the NBA app and a valid login. However, some early users reported minor setup issues, including app reloads before immersive options appeared. Still, these problems seem manageable and typical for an early rollout.
The Future of Immersive Sports
Basketball works well for immersive viewing because the court is compact and action stays focused. Therefore, Apple may expand into other sports like baseball, tennis, or Formula 1. Meanwhile, larger-field sports such as football and soccer may require new camera innovations.
For now, Apple has announced several upcoming immersive Lakers games. As Apple refines this format, immersive sports could become a defining feature of Vision Pro. Overall, this release signals a promising future for how fans watch live games at home.
