WNBA basketball is coming soon to a TV near you.
The WNBA released its official schedule for the 2026 season, which will run from Friday, May 8 to Thursday, Sept. 24. The schedule reveal comes despite stalled negotiation talks between the WNBPA and the league on a new collective bargaining agreement after the previous CBA expired in January.
The upcoming season, which is the WNBA’s 30th, will feature two new expansion teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Just like last year, there will be 44 regular season games before WNBA playoffs start on Sept. 27. Each team will play 22 home games and 22 away games.
“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. With a record number of games, growing global reach, and unprecedented momentum, this milestone season will help define the next chapter of the WNBA,” league commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
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As to be expected, all eyes will be on Fever star guard Caitlin Clark, who missed over half of her second WNBA season due to injuries but will be looking to pick up right where she left off. Clark and Indiana will open their season against Paige Bueckers and the Wings on May 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Here’s everything to know about the upcoming 2026 WNBA season:
Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese 2026 schedule: When do the Fever play the Sky?
Clark and Reese will face off three times this year.
The Fever host the Sky on June 11 and then play them on the road on Aug. 8 and Aug. 23.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever full 2026 schedule
| Opponent | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Wings | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Saturday, May 9 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | Crypto.com Arena | Wednesday, May 13 |
| Washington Mystics | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Friday, May 15 |
| Seattle Storm | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Sunday, May 17 |
| Portland Fire | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Wednesday, May 20 |
| Golden State Valkyries | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Friday, May 22 |
| Golden State Valkyries | Chase Center | Thursday, May 28 |
| Portland Fire | Moda Center | Saturday, May 30 |
| Opponent | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Dream | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Thursday, June 4* |
| New York Liberty | Barclays Center | Saturday, June 6* |
| Washington Mystics | CareFirst Arena | Monday, June 8* |
| Chicago Sky | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Thursday, June 11* |
| Connecticut Sun | Mohegan Sun Arena | Saturday, June 13* |
| Toronto Tempo | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Tuesday, June 16* |
| Atlanta Dream | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Thursday, June 18 |
| Atlanta Dream | Gateway Center Arena | Saturday, June 20 |
| Phoenix Mercury | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Monday, June 22 |
| Phoenix Mercury | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Wednesday, June 24 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Saturday, June 27 |
*Commissioner’s Cup games
| Opponent | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Aces | Michelob ULTRA Arena | Sunday, July 5 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | Crypto.com Arena | Wednesday, July 8 |
| Phoenix Mercury | Mortgage Matchup Center | Thursday, July 9 |
| Las Vegas Aces | Michelob ULTRA Arena | Sunday, July 12 |
| Golden State Valkyries | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Wednesday, July 15 |
| Seattle Storm | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Friday, July 17 |
| New York Liberty | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Saturday, July 18 |
| Connecticut Sun | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Wednesday, July 22 |
| Seattle Storm | Climate Pledge Arena | Tuesday, July 28 |
| Portland Fire | Moda Center | Friday, July 31 |
| Opponent | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Lynx | Target Center | Sunday, Aug. 2 |
| Las Vegas Aces | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Thursday, Aug. 6 |
| Chicago Sky | Wintrust Arena | Saturday, Aug. 8 |
| New York Liberty | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Tuesday, Aug. 11 |
| Dallas Wings | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Friday, Aug. 14 |
| Atlanta Dream | Gateway Center Arena | Sunday, Aug. 16 |
| Toronto Tempo | Coca-Cola Coliseum | Tuesday, Aug. 18 |
| Dallas Wings | College Park Center | Thursday, Aug. 20 |
| New York Liberty | Barclays Center | Saturday, Aug. 22 |
| Chicago Sky | Wintrust Arena | Sunday, Aug. 23 |
| Connecticut Sun | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Friday, Aug. 28 |
| Opponent | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Tempo | Coca-Cola Coliseum | Friday, Sept. 18 |
| Washington Mystics | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Sunday, Sept. 20 |
| Minnesota Lynx | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Tuesday, Sept. 22 |
| Minnesota Lynx | Target Center | Thursday, Sept. 24 |
WNBA All-Star Weekend and Key Dates in 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| WNBA Commissioner’s Cup | June 1–17 (title game on June 30) |
| WNBA All-Star Weekend | July 24–25 in Chicago, Ill. |
| World Cup break | Aug. 31 to Sept. 16 |
| Start of WNBA Playoffs | Sept. 27 |
Big WNBA games to watch during 2026 season
The Tempo will make their franchise debut on May 8 against the Mystics. The Fire, rekindled decades after their short original WNBA lifespan from 2000 to ‘02, will open their season on May 9 against the Sky.
The defending champion Aces will play the Mercury in a WNBA Finals rematch on May 9. Las Vegas, led by four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, have won three of the last four league titles. The Aces will also face off against Phoenix on June 17, July 11 and Sept. 24.
The Sparks will host the Liberty on June 21, which will mark a rematch of the WNBA’s inaugural game. The game will be played on the anniversary of the original matchup, when the two founding teams played on June 21, 1997 at Great Western Forum in L.A. to kick off the first-ever season of professional women’s basketball in the country. The Liberty won, 67–57.
WNBA 2026 season TV and streaming schedule
The WNBA has yet to release its full TV and streaming schedule, which includes nationally broadcasted games and various streaming partners. The schedule will be unveiled at a later date.
How does the lack of a CBA affect the upcoming 2026 season?
The WNBA and the players’ union haven’t yet agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement. The 2026 season will be contingent on a CBA being finalized before play begins in May. Otherwise, a work stoppage could be on the horizon.
In the latest update on negotiations, the league and the players’ union agreed to a moratorium on free agency, which comes on the heels of the two sides failing to reach an agreement on a new CBA by Jan. 9. They reportedly remain far apart on key issues, including the structure of a revenue-sharing system. As the tense months-long standoff continues, players are not expected to sign contracts with teams while their new salaries are still being negotiated.
Essentially, WNBA free agency has been put on hold. Some top free agents in 2026 include A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum and Kelsey Mitchell.
The WNBA and players’ union are currently in a “status quo” period in which the conditions of the old CBA remain in effect, and they will continue to negotiate on good faith. Hopefully, the two sides can get a fair deal done soon.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as WNBA 2026 Season Schedule: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese Matchups, Key Dates and More.
