Which NBA Team Is The Most Family-Friendly?

By Bill Speros Oct 3rd, 2025 9:43 AM EDT

Pacers fans have it the best of any in the NBA. At least when it comes to fan amenities. (USA TODAY)

The NBA season begins on October 21 as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder tip off at home against Houston. With that in mind, Bookies.com sought to determine “Which NBA Team Is The Most Family-Friendly?”

NBA fans across the country hunger for the return of their favorite team, all the while getting a glimpse at some of the league’s biggest stars.

But often times, a trip to watch your favorite NBA team can morph into a near four-figure adventure, depending on the size of your group and where you choose to sit.

Using a scoring system based on several data points focused on ticket prices, family deals, child ticket prices, and family amenities, Bookies.com took a break from NBA betting to rank all 30 league franchises to determine “Which NBA Team Is The Most Family-Friendly?”

The results may surprise you. That quality of the team on the court doesn’t necessarily need to suffer in order provide a winning experience for fans. This season, it works out in just the opposite direction.

Which NBA Team Is The Most Family-Friendly? Indiana Pacers

The defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers top the list as “Which NBA Team Is The Most Family-Friendly,” earning an impressive score of 55 on our scale. Their stadium policies cater to families in several ways: affordable ticket prices for a family of four, lenient child admission rules, stroller-friendly entry, family restrooms, and kid-oriented entertainment. Whether you’re bringing a toddler or a teenager, Gainbridge Fieldhouse checks nearly every box.

And The Runner-Up: Oklahoma City Thunder

The NBA champions prove that winning isn’t limited to simply raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy after winning The Finals. Long a leader in creating a unique fan experience, the Oklahoma City Thunder deliver inside Paycom Center. They rank No. 2 as “Which NBA Team Is The Most Family-Friendly?” Expect the Thunder to remain near the top of the list, as they are expected to open a new state-of-the-art arena in 2028.

Most Family-Friendly NBA Team: Ranked 1-30

Rank	Team	Total Score
1	Indiana Pacers	55
2	Oklahoma City Thunder	52
3	Cleveland Cavaliers	51
4	Houston Rockets	49
5	Chicago Bulls	44
6	Denver Nuggets	41
7	Detroit Pistons	40
T8	Charlotte Hornets	39
T8	Memphis Grizzlies	39
11	Orlando Magic	37
T12	Portland Trail Blazers	36
T12	Atlanta Hawks	36
T12	Washington Wizards	36
T15	Dallas Mavericks	35
T15	Sacramento Kings	35
17	New Orleans Pelicans	34
18	Utah Jazz	33
T19	Milwaukee Bucks	31
T19	Minnesota Timberwolves	31
21	Phoenix Suns	28
22	Los Angeles Clippers	26
23	Miami Heat	25
24	Toronto Raptors	24
25	Brooklyn Nets	23
26	Boston Celtics	22
27	Philadelphia 76ers	21
28	Los Angeles Lakers	20
29	Golden State Warriors	18
30	New York Knicks	13

Rounding Out The Top 5

The remaining teams in the Top 5 in our “Which NBA Team Is The Most Family-Friendly?” list are: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and Chicago Bulls. These franchises scored high for offering kid-friendly amenities like nursing rooms, stroller accommodations, and active kids’ clubs, along with more reasonable ticket prices.

At the Other End of The Spectrum (Or MSG)

The New York Knicks rank 30^th among the 30 NBA teams when it comes to “Which NBA Team Is The Most Family-Friendly?” Accommodating families wasn’t much of a concern when the current iteration of Madison Square Garden opened in 1968, nor when it was completely renovated in 1991. The venue is the oldest in the NBA. MSG doesn’t have to worry about being fan friendly. It’s used for everything, from concerts, to hockey, to pro wrestling, to political conventions and plays host to roughly 320 events per year.

Why Some Teams Rank Higher

This study revealed a clear trend: franchises that actively court younger fans through amenities like kid zones, youth clubs, and affordable child ticket policies scored significantly higher. Stadium accessibility for strollers, nursing facilities, and dedicated family bathrooms also played a major role in determining rankings.

Teams with higher ticket prices, stricter admission rules for children, and fewer family-specific amenities naturally found themselves lower on the list.

Q&A: Which NBA Team Is The Most Family-Friendly?

Q: Which NBA team is ranked the most family-friendly for the 2025–26 season?

A: According to Bookies.com, the Indiana Pacers earned the top spot with a total score of 55, thanks to affordable ticket prices, family deals, child-friendly policies, and strong arena amenities.

Q: Which big-market teams ranked lowest for family-friendly experiences?

A: Despite their popularity, the New York Knicks (13 points), Golden State Warriors (18), and Los Angeles Lakers (20) landed at the bottom of the list, showing that high demand often comes with higher costs and fewer family-focused offerings.

Q: Which other teams rounded out the top five most family-friendly experiences?

A: Following the Pacers, the Oklahoma City Thunder (52), Cleveland Cavaliers (51), Houston Rockets (49), and Chicago Bulls (44) completed the top five, offering fans some of the best overall value and family experiences in the NBA.

Comments

Sign In | Sign Up

Post

View more