For the second straight year, the Cavs will have training camp outside of Cleveland

Though the Cleveland Cavaliers will be having their 2025-26 NBA media day at Rocket Arena on Monday, Sept. 29, they'll be preparing for preseason competition a little further south.

On Tuesday morning, the team announced that it will be returning to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for the second consecutive year. Cavs president Koby Altman explained why in the official press release.

“Returning to IMG Academy is a testament to the tremendous experience we had there last year. The overall engagement, both at the Bradenton facility and throughout that community, was an invaluable part of our preseason preparations.

"Being on Florida’s Gulf Coast also provided an ideal backdrop for our team to focus, recharge, and come together in ways that are hard to replicate outside of Cleveland. We look forward to another great training camp at IMG Academy and immersing ourselves into the vibrant cultural scene that Sarasota offers.”

The Cavs will spend one week in southwest Florida from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5.

"The return of the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second consecutive year is a powerful reflection of the trust top organizations place in IMG Academy,” said IMG chief operating officer Mike Milliron. 

“Our world-class campus provides the environment, expertise, staff, and resources that are a perfect fit for the Cavs, and we can’t wait to welcome them back to our one-of-one destination ahead of their NBA season.”

According to the release, the Cavs are the first NBA franchise to hold training camp at IMG Academy. The last time Cleveland had a camp outside of its home city was prior to the 2004-05 campaign, when it was at Capital University in Columbus.

Once the first week of camp is over, the team will travel home to prepare for the Chicago Bulls in its preseason opener downtown. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Oct. 7.

The Cavs will then travel to the Windy City for a rematch on Oct. 9, face the Celtics in Boston on Oct. 12, and conclude the preseason against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 14.

Cleveland's regular season will begin with two games in New York, starting with the Knicks on Oct. 22 and the Nets on Oct. 24 before the wine and gold's home opener on Sunday, Oct. 26 vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.