When Does AAU Basketball Season Start? The Full Year, Month by Month
The main AAU/club basketball season starts in March and runs through July, picking up right where school basketball leaves off. Tryouts happen from January through March, tournament play peaks April through July, and many clubs also run a lighter fall season from September to early November.
The club basketball year, month by month
- January-February: school season winds down. Clubs recruit, announce tryout dates, and hold preseason workouts. This is when you should be researching programs — browse active teams and shortlist two or three.
- Late February-March: tryout season and the season’s first tournaments. Rosters form. If you miss tryouts, ask about mid-season additions; many rosters stay open.
- April: the season’s first big month. For high schoolers on circuit teams, April contains NCAA live periods when college coaches attend in person.
- May-June: peak volume — tournaments most weekends, state-level AAU championships in many regions.
- July: the crescendo: national championships and the summer live periods. After July, the main season ends.
- August: dead month. Camps, skills training, rest.
- September-November: fall season. Local leagues, one-day events, and development-focused rosters — the lowest-pressure entry point of the year for a new player.
- December: school ball again; most clubs go quiet.
When to join if you’re new
Two natural entry windows: March (the main season, via tryouts) and September (the fall season, often no tryout needed). New players get more from starting in fall — lower cost, less travel, and time to develop before spring tryouts. Our tryouts guide covers how to prepare for either window.
How tournament weekends actually run
A typical tournament runs Friday evening or Saturday morning through Sunday, with pool play into bracket play — usually a 3-game minimum and up to 5-6 games for teams that reach a final. Multi-court venues host dozens of teams per age division; spectator admission commonly costs $10-$20 per adult per day. Activity in our directory comes from these events: a listing that says a team played 12 tracked tournaments means 12 verified weekend appearances on real schedules.
Planning the family calendar
Before committing to a spring roster, ask the club for the tournament schedule (which weekends, which cities), practice nights, and the total weekend count — then check it against your family’s spring. The difference between a manageable season and a brutal one is usually 3-4 travel weekends, and the cost difference tracks the same variable. If you’re starting from zero, begin with what AAU basketball is, then work out which age division your child plays in.
FAQ
When does AAU basketball season start?
The main AAU/club season starts in March, right after school basketball ends, and runs through July. Tryouts are typically held from January through March, and the biggest tournament months are April through July.
Is there AAU basketball in the fall?
Yes. Many clubs run a shorter fall season (roughly September through early November) with local leagues and tournaments. It's lower-stakes than spring/summer and a good entry point for new players.
What are live periods in AAU basketball?
Live periods are specific weekends (set by the NCAA, typically in April and July) when college coaches are allowed to watch club tournaments in person. They matter mainly for high-school-age players on circuit teams seeking recruitment.
Ready to look at teams? Browse youth basketball programs in Houston or all guides.