NEW YORK — The WNBA is poised to kick off its season on May 8, pending an agreement between the league and the players’ union regarding a new collective bargaining agreement.
Teams are scheduled to compete in 44 games over a five-month span, with a 17-day hiatus for the FIBA World Cup in early September. Last year, the league confirmed that the schedule would remain at 44 games, even with the addition of two new teams in Portland and Toronto.
“As we gear up for the WNBA’s landmark 30th season, this schedule showcases both the progress the league has made and the momentum propelling us forward,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
“From introducing two new franchises in Toronto and Portland to paying tribute to our legacy with significant matchups that link the league’s inaugural game to today’s stars, the 2026 season will honor the WNBA’s past, present, and future. With a record number of games, an expanding global presence, and unparalleled momentum, this milestone season is set to shape the next chapter of the WNBA.”
By releasing the schedule now, teams can begin selling ticket packages, arranging travel for away games—including charter flights—and booking arena dates.
“Publishing the 2026 schedule is a crucial step in our preparations for the WNBA’s 30th season, enabling teams, partners, broadcasters, and fans to initiate vital planning for the upcoming year,” stated a WNBA spokesperson.
Nearly all teams have at least one set of back-to-back games, with the average number of consecutive night games decreasing from 2.4 per team in 2025 to 1.6 this year.
The WNBA aspires to increase the number of games teams play in future seasons, which would be established in a new CBA.
Training camp is scheduled to commence on April 19, just six days after the college draft. The league will also hold its sixth annual Commissioner’s Cup games in June, with the championship game expected on June 30. The All-Star Game is slated for Chicago on July 25, followed by game resumption three days afterward.
The WNBA will take a break from August 31 to September 16 for the World Cup, which will be hosted in Berlin this year. After the tournament concludes, teams will play a few games before the playoffs begin on September 27.
Everything remains dependent on the league and union reaching a consensus on a new CBA. The last CBA was announced in mid-January 2020, a month after its agreement. It could take up to two months from the new CBA’s finalization to the start of free agency.
The two parties had agreed to a moratorium on free agency, originally set to start earlier this month. This moratorium was necessary after no new extension was finalized on January 9, prompting discussions for a new CBA. The WNBA and union are currently in a “status quo” phase where the old CBA remains active while negotiations occur in good faith.
Apart from free agency, the WNBA still needs to conduct an expansion draft for Portland and Toronto.
Key highlights of the schedule include:
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All 15 teams will participate in the opening weekend, featuring a rematch of the WNBA Finals between Las Vegas and Phoenix, along with a clash between the last two No. 1 draft picks, as Paige Bueckers and Dallas face Indiana and Caitlin Clark.
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Los Angeles will host New York on June 21, marking the anniversary of their original matchup, which was the league’s very first game.
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Toronto is set to compete in two games in Montreal and Vancouver.
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Connecticut will play two games in Hartford and one game in Boston.
