The WNBA released its full 2026 schedule on Wednesday, announcing the 30th season's start on May 8 and end on September 24. This comes as the league adds two new teams, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, while teams like the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever highlighted the calendar on social media with creative posts. The schedule sets up 44 games per team across 15 franchises, totaling 330 games, even as labor talks between the league and players continue without a new collective bargaining agreement.
Background
The WNBA has grown steadily over the years, and 2026 marks a big step with expansion. The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire join as the 15th and 16th teams—no, wait, with Golden State Valkyries added last year, it's now 15 total. These moves follow the league's push into new markets. Toronto gets its first pro women's basketball team, and Portland revives a name from the league's early days.
Teams found out about their schedules and shared them online right away. The New York Liberty posted a video recap of their key games, showing off home dates and rival matchups. The Indiana Fever put up a graphic with their opening game against the Dallas Wings, noting the early tipoff. Other teams like the Las Vegas Aces highlighted their ring night against the Phoenix Mercury, a rematch of last year's finals. Social media lit up with fans reacting to the dates, especially for the new teams' debuts.
This release happens against a tense backdrop. The current collective bargaining agreement expired, and talks have dragged on. Players authorized a possible strike late last year, but the league moved ahead with planning. No deal yet means uncertainty, but the schedule gives teams a roadmap for tickets, broadcasts, and training camps.
The season honors the league's history too. On June 21, the New York Liberty play the Los Angeles Sparks in LA, exactly 29 years after their first-ever matchup in 1997. That game kicked off the WNBA, and this one nods to those roots.
Key Details
The regular season runs from May 8 to September 24, with playoffs starting September 27. Each of the 15 teams plays 44 games, same as last year, which was the most ever. That's up from 40 games in prior seasons, showing the league's rising popularity.
Opening Weekend
Action starts Friday, May 8, with three games at 7:30 p.m. ET: Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty, Washington Mystics at Toronto Tempo, and Golden State Valkyries at Seattle Storm. Saturday brings Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever at 1 p.m., Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces at 3:30 p.m., and Chicago Sky at Portland Fire at 9 p.m. Sunday wraps with five games, including Seattle at Connecticut at 1 p.m., New York at Washington at 3 p.m., Las Vegas at Los Angeles at 6 p.m., Atlanta Dream at Minnesota Lynx at 7 p.m., and Phoenix at Golden State at 8:30 p.m. All 15 teams play over those three days, packing in 11 games total.
Commissioner's Cup
The in-season tournament returns June 1 to 17, with the final on June 30. Teams play others in their conference once. Eastern Conference teams face six games, Western seven due to uneven sizes. Top teams from each conference by winning percentage advance, with the overall best hosting the championship.
All-Star Weekend
Chicago hosts All-Star events. Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest happen July 24 at Wintrust Arena, home of the Sky. The All-Star Game follows July 25 at the United Center, shared with the NBA's Bulls. It's the Sky's second time hosting.
World Cup Break
The FIBA Women's World Cup runs September 4 to 13 in Germany. The WNBA pauses from August 30 to September 16, letting players join their national teams. Games resume September 17 to finish the regular season.
Broadcast details come later, but expect wide coverage as viewership grows.
"As we prepare to tip off the WNBA's historic 30th season, this schedule reflects both how far the league has come and the momentum that continues to drive us forward," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. "From welcoming two new organizations in Toronto and Portland, to honoring our history with marquee matchups that connect the league's first game to today's stars, the 2026 season will celebrate the WNBA's past, present, and future."
What This Means
The schedule locks in a full season despite no new CBA. Teams can sell tickets, plan travel, and build fan excitement. New markets like Toronto and Portland mean more fans north of the border and on the West Coast. The 330 games set a record, giving players more court time and viewers more to watch.
Expansion spreads talent thinner but boosts the league's reach. Toronto's debut against Washington draws cross-border interest, while Portland's late-night opener against Chicago taps late West Coast audiences. Early matchups like Fever-Wings put stars like Caitlin Clark in the spotlight from day one.
The World Cup break prioritizes international play, with many WNBA players key for their countries. It could affect rosters post-break, as fatigue or injuries play in. Playoffs starting late September keep the postseason tight before the finals.
Labor talks loom large. Players want better pay and benefits as revenues rise from media deals and stars like A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark. A strike or lockout remains possible, but this schedule assumes play starts on time. Teams shared it creatively online to drum up hype—Liberty with slick edits, Fever with bold graphics, Aces teasing their title defense.
Fans get marquee games early: Aces-Mercury rematch, Liberty's home opener. The anniversary game ties old to new. All-Star in Chicago packs arenas. Overall, it maps a busy year of growth amid challenges.
Dallas won the draft lottery again, picking first for the second year. That shapes rosters before tipoff. Broadcast schedule follows soon, likely on ESPN, ABC, and streaming. Ticket sales start as teams announce.
