The 2026 California Classic Summer League began on July 3. The opening date started the California portion of the NBA’s summer-league calendar, before the Las Vegas league opened on July 9.
The 2026 California Classic ran from July 3 through July 6 across two California locations: Chase Center in San Francisco and Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. San Francisco hosted games on July 3, 5, and 6, while Sacramento’s schedule ran July 4–6.
Summer League gives rookies, second-year players, G League prospects, and other young players a chance to compete for NBA or G League opportunities. The games use modified rules and are more developmental than regular-season contests, so the results do not count toward NBA standings.
July 3 is easy to confuse with the start dates of the other summer-league venues. Salt Lake City began July 4, and Las Vegas began July 9. The question asks specifically about the California Classic, whose opening tip was July 3.