The Memphis Grizzlies will hold their 2026 preseason training camp in Nashville at Belmont University from September 29 to October 2.
Choosing Nashville again reinforces the team's growing connection to the state. The Grizzlies first moved camp to The Ensworth School in 2024 due to renovations at their Memphis home, FedExForum. They returned to Belmont University in 2025 and are now making it a three-year tradition. Practices at Belmont are closed to the public. The team will then hold an open practice at FedExForum on October 4 before their first preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 5.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has previously talked about the idea of the Grizzlies playing some games in Nashville to become "Tennessee's team." This recurring camp placement keeps that conversation alive. Other NBA teams are also seeing value in the city. The New Orleans Pelicans used Belmont's facilities in 2024, and the Atlanta Hawks will conduct their own camp at Vanderbilt University's practice facility during the same late-September window this year.
The team is looking to build momentum after a challenging conclusion to the 2025-26 campaign. Their final five games resulted in losses. That tough run culminated in the season-ending 132-101 loss in Houston.
This preseason represents a clean slate. Training camp is where roster chemistry is forged and new systems are installed. For a team wanting to put last April behind them, these focused days in Nashville are the first critical step.
Holding camp outside Memphis for three years running is more than a logistical choice. It's a strategic effort to expand the team's footprint within Tennessee. The consistent presence in Nashville, a major market without its own NBA team, helps cultivate a broader fanbase. It also keeps the franchise in regional news cycles alongside music and football headlines.
While there are no current plans for regular-season games in Nashville, maintaining this preseason foothold keeps all options open. The organization is clearly investing in the relationship. The work done in those few days at Belmont will set the tone for their return to Memphis and the quest for a better result in the 2026-27 NBA season.
