NBA 2K22: Official Release Time & Date, Last Chance to Pre Order

By Patches ChanceUS Sports Editor

NBA 2K22 is now just a few short days away, and you'll want to make sure you can play the very second it's available if you've already got your pre order in.

We've got details on the exact release time for NBA 2K22, when it unlocks, and how much longer you have to wait to start playing.

Latest - NBA 2K22 New Zealand Time

NBA 2K22 is going to arrive earlier for some than it is for others, and that simple fact has made some Xbox users take a risk to get early access.

While the title has a simultaneous North America release, it can be played now for those in New Zealand, leading some Xbox users to change their console to that time zone in order to unlock the game.

We can't recommend attempting this, as there have been reports in the past that tampering with console time can potentially damage the system itself.

Meanwhile, New Zealand as a country is facing a release delay to September 17, 2021 for physical copies.

NBA 2K22: Release Time & Date

NBA 2K22 is scheduled for a release date of September 10, 2021, and the release time is closely linked to that.

On the Microsoft Store, an exact time is listed to show when the game will unlock and become playable, and it's localized to your own time zone.

NBA 2K22 release time
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EXACT TIME: You can see the time listed here for Central Time, which is this author's local time

As a result, we know the NBA 2K22 release time when it unlocks is Midnight ET on the night of September 9 into the morning of September 10, 2021.

For extra clarity, here's the North America release time in several time zones:

  • Eastern Time: Midnight on Friday, September 10, 2021
  • Central Time: 11 PM on Thursday, September 9, 2021
  • Pacific Time: 9 PM on Thursday, September 9, 2021

For anyone in an international time zone, whether that be in the UK, New Zealand, Australia, etc, NBA 2K22 will actually release at Midnight local time on September 10, 2021 (night of September 9).

We've been able to confirm that those who visit the Microsoft Store from the UK show a release date of Midnight local time, in addition to reports by r/NBA2K earlier that this was the case.

Time is running out to Pre Order NBA 2K22!

If you're itching to get playing as soon as the release time hits, whichever time zone you're in, you'll still need to place a pre order!

Don't bother hunting anywhere else, we've got direct links to pre order the edition of your choice on your preferred platform right here.

Amazon NBA 2K22 Pre Orders

Microsoft Store NBA 2K22 Pre Orders

Gamestop NBA 2K22 Pre Orders

You can find more details here about the various editions and what is included if you aren't sure which to select.

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