We’re playing bas-ket-ball, and for the first time in 23 years, you can watch it all go down on NBC and Peacock during the NBA Tip-Off. Tuesday, October 21, marks the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season, and what better way to celebrate its return to NBC and Peacock than at NBC Sports Grill & Brew in Universal CityWalk?
From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., we’re pulling out all the stops for the ultimate NBA Tip-Off celebration. Pre-game with a variety of themed entertainment outside NBC Sports Grill & Brew, and celebrate game time with specially handcrafted dishes fit just for the season.
Tip-Off Entertainment
During the NBA Tip-Off, we’re doing more than just grabbing a seat at the bar and tuning into the game; we’re bringing the games to you! Right in front of NBC Sports Grill & Brew, get amped up for the occasion with lively stilt referees making sure you stay on top of your very-own game of arcade basketball.
Parading the area are Prize Guys who live to inspire excitement among guests and eager basketball fans alike. In case you weren’t feeling inspired enough, we’re also bringing out a special guest: Robyn Slain, one of only three women in the U.S. who can spin 10 basketballs at the same time.
Before making your way into the NBC Sports Grill & Brew to catch the 7:30 p.m. game and a bite to eat, revel in the buzz of the night over a live DJ mixing together jams and fostering unforgettable memories!
Exclusive Tip-Off Dishes at NBC Sports Grill & Brew
You can’t dive into the NBA Tip-Off without first digging into the new, basketball-themed menu items at NBC Sports Grill & Brew. Chef Robert Hainer put together three one-of-a-kind dishes that score major points in the flavor department, and you need them by your side on game day.
Slam Dunk Chicken Skewers
The game is changing in the world of sports bar food, and it starts with the Slam Dunk Chicken Skewers. Savor skewered marinated chicken breast and fresh grilled vegetables served with grilled brioche and a balsamic dipping sauce.
The Slam Dunk Chicken Skewers aren’t just sporty because they have “slam dunk” in the name; they transport you right into the game! Chef Robert says he and the culinary team at NBC Sports Grill & Brew not only wanted to bring guests something they can easily enjoy while watching the game but also food that makes the occasion more fun.
“We wanted to make it interactive, so it comes with dipping sauces that you dip (the skewers) in — or slam dunk into — so the guests kind of have fun,” Chef Robert says. “It’s got a lot of bold flavors and excitement — kind of like what the NBA is bringing to NBC [and Peacock] right now.”
Free Throw Fries
There are so many things you can do with a French fry, and one of my favorite ways to enjoy them is by smothering them in cheese. Apparently, this is NBC Sports’ favorite way as well, but its chefs take the concept of cheese fries to a higher level with the Free Throw Fries. Loaded up with melted cheese, these fries are topped with fresh rendered bacon, Colby Jack and cheddar cheeses, pico de gallo, and cilantro lime crema. Try this sensational dish with tots instead of fries to switch things up!
Chef Robert says the Free Throw Fries are more than just a tasty menu option for sports fans, they’re a fitting one, too. “With a free throw, if you know anything about basketball, you get fouled — you went through the ringer a little bit, and now you get to take a free shot,” he says. “It’s like anybody who doesn’t really know what they want. They’re looking at the menu, and they’ve gone all over the place. This is simple, it’s easy, and it’s a plate of food that you can sit and enjoy and watch the game and not have to think too much about — similar to what a free throw is during the game.”
Post Up Pork Ribs
On the court, keep your fingers on the ball, but at the NBC Sports Grill & Brew, you keep them on the Post Up Pork Ribs. These house-made ribs are flash fried and slathered in a sweet bourbon sticky sauce that will undoubtedly leave you wanting more with every bite.
NBA on NBC and its Significance
Whether you’re a long-time basketball fan or new to the game, you may be wondering why this year’s NBA Tip-Off is so important, and especially why it’s so important to Universal Orlando Resort. NBC Sports Grill & Brew’s general manager, Brendan Rice, says the NBA’s return to NBC takes us back to a pivotal point in time for basketball.
“It brings us back to [a special time for] basketball,” Brendan says. “I grew up watching [basketball legends] when they were at the prime of their career, and basketball really took off and became a huge element in the United States where fans were just drawn to want to watch it because it was rough, it was elegant, it was all the different things that you can imagine sports to be.”
The NBA was first televised on NBC in 1954 until 1962, but it didn’t have such a substantial impact on the country until its return to the network in 1990. NBA on NBC had a remarkable 12-year run, ending after the 2001-2002 season concluded. During that run, history was made.
“It was just the energy back in the 80s and 90s … the NBA was huge, and NBC was a big part of that,” Chef Robert adds. “You grew up with these [players]; it’s almost like they were family. So, it’s really exciting to see it come back and watch the new players develop and become like the ones we grew up with — the legends in the making.”
How excited are you to get back in the game with the NBA Tip-Off celebration at Universal CityWalk? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
Must be 21 years and older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.
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