The Cleveland Cavaliers will begin their 2016 championship anniversary celebrations one night after LeBron James is scheduled to return to Rocket Arena.
The 2026-27 promotional calendar, announced Tuesday, places the first 10th Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 7 against the New York Knicks. Cleveland hosts Philadelphia on Nov. 6, with James now a member of the 76ers.
The other anniversary dates are Nov. 14 against Dallas and Dec. 12 against Golden State, with a championship mini banner and a Matthew Dellavedova bobblehead among the giveaways.
LeBron’s visit comes before the first anniversary night
The team’s calendar lists the Nov. 6 Philadelphia game at 7:30 p.m. Eastern as Cavs Cup. The following night’s Knicks matchup tips off at 8 p.m. and carries the anniversary designation.
The Philadelphia date was already known. James’ first scheduled Cleveland visit on Nov. 6 with the Sixers was already identified in August. Tuesday’s announcement adds the anniversary programming around it.
The promotional calendar does not announce James’ participation in an anniversary event or explain why the celebrations fall on these dates.
Where the three championship celebrations fall
The anniversary dates extend over five weeks, with a different opponent for each one:
- Nov. 7 vs. New York Knicks: The first 10th Anniversary Celebration, one day after Philadelphia’s visit. No giveaway item is named in this entry.
- Nov. 14 vs. Dallas Mavericks: An anniversary celebration with a 2016 championship mini banner giveaway.
- Dec. 12 vs. Golden State Warriors: An anniversary celebration with a Matthew Dellavedova bobblehead giveaway.
The Golden State date provides the clearest historical connection. Cleveland beat the Warriors in the 2016 Finals after trailing the series 3-1.
The celebrations follow another recent occasion to revisit that group: the 2016 Cavs’ reunion video.
Dellavedova, Merrill and Harden get bobblehead dates
Beyond the anniversary programming, the announced giveaway lineup includes three player bobbleheads: Dellavedova against Golden State on Dec. 12, Sam Merrill against Utah on Dec. 20 and James Harden against Toronto on Feb. 9.
The Oct. 24 home opener against Brooklyn includes a T-shirt and rally towel. The published entries do not specify distribution quantities or eligibility requirements, so fans buying specifically for a collectible should confirm those conditions with the team.
Cavs promotional schedule for 2026-27
The following list covers all 30 games with a named giveaway, theme night or special event in the team’s promotional calendar as checked Sept. 22. All games are at Rocket Arena, and all times are Eastern. Games listed only with ticket offers are excluded.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 24, 2026 | Brooklyn Nets | 7:30 p.m. | Home Opener T-Shirt & Rally Towel |
| Oct. 28, 2026 | Washington Wizards | 7 p.m. | Breast Cancer Awareness Night |
| Nov. 6, 2026 | Philadelphia 76ers | 7:30 p.m. | Cavs Cup |
| Nov. 7, 2026 | New York Knicks | 8 p.m. | 10th Anniversary Celebration |
| Nov. 14, 2026 | Dallas Mavericks | 7:30 p.m. | 10th Anniversary Celebration & 2016 Championship Mini Banner Giveaway |
| Nov. 16, 2026 | Chicago Bulls | 7 p.m. | Pride Night |
| Nov. 20, 2026 | Indiana Pacers | 7:30 p.m. | Cavs Cup |
| Nov. 29, 2026 | Miami Heat | 6 p.m. | Salute To Service |
| Dec. 12, 2026 | Golden State Warriors | 8 p.m. | 10th Anniversary Celebration & Matthew Dellavedova Bobblehead Giveaway |
| Dec. 15, 2026 | San Antonio Spurs | 8 p.m. | Adidas Takeover Night |
| Dec. 20, 2026 | Utah Jazz | 6 p.m. | Sam Merrill Bobblehead Giveaway |
| Dec. 21, 2026 | New York Knicks | 7 p.m. | Marvel Night & Spida Foam Finger Giveaway |
| Dec. 27, 2026 | Washington Wizards | 6 p.m. | Kids Day |
| Jan. 5, 2027 | Toronto Raptors | 7 p.m. | Mental Health Awareness Night |
| Jan. 18, 2027 | Detroit Pistons | Noon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Jan. 27, 2027 | Detroit Pistons | 7 p.m. | City Edition Sword Magazine |
| Jan. 30, 2027 | New Orleans Pelicans | 7:30 p.m. | City Edition |
| Feb. 6, 2027 | Orlando Magic | 7:30 p.m. | AAPI Night |
| Feb. 9, 2027 | Toronto Raptors | 7 p.m. | James Harden Bobblehead |
| Feb. 14, 2027 | Phoenix Suns | 1 p.m. | Mascot Day |
| Feb. 17, 2027 | Milwaukee Bucks | 7 p.m. | Black Heritage Celebration |
| Feb. 25, 2027 | Sacramento Kings | 7 p.m. | Black Heritage Celebration |
| March 4, 2027 | Portland Trail Blazers | 7 p.m. | City Edition Cap |
| March 6, 2027 | Atlanta Hawks | 5:30 p.m. | Bow Tie Game |
| March 20, 2027 | Chicago Bulls | 7:30 p.m. | Women’s Hoops Night |
| March 25, 2027 | Los Angeles Lakers | 7 p.m. | City Edition |
| March 29, 2027 | Miami Heat | 7 p.m. | Unidos Por Cleveland |
| April 1, 2027 | Boston Celtics | 7 p.m. | City Edition Mini Water Cooler |
| April 4, 2027 | Charlotte Hornets | 3 p.m. | Autism Awareness Day |
| April 11, 2027 | Atlanta Hawks | 6 p.m. | Fan Appreciation & Stash Bag |
Ticket links and package options are available on the Cavs’ promotional page. For games before the regular season, see the Cavs’ preseason schedule.
