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NBA pauses schedule on Election Day while NHL continues usual play

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 3, 2026, 6:00 PM

Last updated Nov 3, 2026

NBA pauses schedule on Election Day while NHL continues usual play

Summary

On November 3, the NBA has canceled all games to observe Election Day, marking the fourth time in five years the league has taken this stance. This initiative emphasizes voting rights and civic engagement, a legacy from their social activism following the 2020 shooting of Jacob Blake. All 30 NBA teams played prior on Monday, with players promoting voting through pregame warmups. In contrast, the NHL will proceed with its schedule, featuring 11 games across the United States and Canada, maintaining its historical precedent of playing during Election Day.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•NBA cancels games on Election Day for civic engagement.
•All 30 NBA teams played on November 2, promoting voting.
•NHL continues with 11 games scheduled on Election Day.
•NBA's initiative began in 2022 amid social unrest.
•The cultural divide between the leagues is evident.

Latest Updates

6:00 PMYahoo Sports — NBA pauses schedule on Election Day once again, NHL plays on

What they're saying

"
Tuesday, Nov. 3rd is Election Day in America. And once again, two of the four major sports leagues are taking vastly different approaches in handling the day. There will be no games on the NBA calendar on Tuesday. It’s the fourth time in five years that the league is taking the entire day off and…
— Yahoo Sports

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