2026 WNBA Schedule and How to Watch With Sling
Thanks to a bevy of young stars, the WNBA is more popular than ever. Here's the weekly schedule, plus how to watch the most WNBA games with Sling.
The WNBA hits its 30th season in 2026, and there is plenty to celebrate. With the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo joining the league and the new CBA finally turning stars into millionaires, the WNBA’s momentum is undeniable. The energy is at an all-time high heading into tip-off on Friday, May 8, with an ION doubleheader you won't want to miss.
Here’s the WNBA’s weekly schedule, along with everything you need to know to watch the 2026 WNBA season with Sling!
WNBA Schedule on Sling
To watch the most games, subscribe to Sling Orange + Blue with Sports Extras with ESPN, USA Network, NBA TV, and, in designated markets, NBC and/or ABC!
Where To Watch WNBA Games
https://youtu.be/kAImjL4LPe4?si=rJvyewy1M6JwPkFP
With the new CBA, the broadcast rights for the WNBA have changed, with seven primary partners, including new agreements with NBC and USA Network. Here's a complete look at how to watch the WNBA with Sling:
ION (Sling Freestream) - You can catch a doubleheader every Friday night on ION, which is available FREE on Sling Freestream. With 50 total games over the regular season, you can catch the most WNBA games with ION.
ESPN / ABC (Sling Orange + Blue) - ESPN and ABC (available only in designated markets with Sling Blue) will broadcast 30 combined games in the regular season (17 on ESPN and 13 on ABC). The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will air on ABC, while ESPN will have the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest. In the WNBA Playoffs, these networks will have two first-round series and one semifinal series.
USA Network (Sling Blue) - The league’s new partner will carry 48 total games, primarily airing on Wednesday nights (28 games) and Monday nights (11 games). USA will also have coverage of the WNBA Finals and one first-round playoff series.
NBC (Sling Blue in designated markets) - The league’s new partners at NBC will air seven Sunday night games, with an additional 15 games available on the Peacock streaming service (separate subscription required).
NBA TV (Sling Orange or Blue with Sports Extras) - NBA TV will have 15 regular season games, and “will keep the spotlight on the consequential race to the postseason, showcasing crucial matchups and storylines.”
Other WNBA broadcasters not available with Sling:
CBS/ CBS Sports Network - 20 Games
Amazon Prime Video - 30 Games, including the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game
This WNBA season, Sling gives you even more flexibility to choose your channel lineup and watch your favorite teams and the biggest games. If you just want to watch one game, use this link to subscribe to the all-new 1, 3, or 7, Day Passes. To watch games on ESPN all season long, use this link to save big by prepaying for five months of Sling Orange or Orange + Blue. And as always, you can subscribe to a full month of Sling Orange or Orange + Blue by following the link below. When your Pass is over or your subscription ends, you can still watch over 600 channels for free with Sling Freestream, no subscription required! Home or away, one game or the entire season, Sling offers unprecedented value and flexibility.
Does Sling TV Have the WNBA League Pass?
Yes! You can subscribe to the WNBA League Pass with Sling for $14.99/mo and watch all out-of-market games all season long. For more information on purchasing the WNBA League Pass with Sling, follow this link.
When is the WNBA All-Star Game?
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is headed to the "Windy City" on Saturday, July 25 at 8:30 PM ET. The game will be hosted at the United Center in Chicago and broadcast nationally on ABC. While the exact format is typically a highlight of the mid-season break, expect a high-energy showcase of the league’s top talent following the interactive "WNBA Live" fan festival at McCormick Place.
What Are the Key Dates for the 2026 Season?
- WNBA Commissioner's Cup: Group play runs from June 1–17. These matchups count toward regular-season records, culminating in the Championship Game on June 30.
- FIBA World Cup Break: The league will take a hiatus from August 31 to September 16 to allow players to compete in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
- Season Finale: The regular season concludes on Thursday, September 24.
- Postseason: The WNBA Playoffs are scheduled to begin Sunday, September 27, with the Finals expected to run through mid-October.
Teams and Schedule Format
With the addition of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo this year, the WNBA has expanded to 15 teams across two conferences:
- Eastern Conference: Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Toronto Tempo, and Washington Mystics.
- Western Conference: Dallas Wings, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, Portland Fire, and Seattle Storm.
To accommodate the growing league, each team now plays a record 44 games (22 home, 22 road) in the regular season.
What Were the 2026 WNBA Draft Results?
The 2026 WNBA Draft, held in April, was a historic night that cemented the arrival of a new generation of talent and underscored the league's rapid expansion. With 45 total picks, the event was headlined by UCLA's unprecedented dominance and the first-ever selections for the league's newest franchises.
Here is a look at the first-round results and the major storylines from draft night:
Key Storylines
- The "UCLA Five": Fresh off an NCAA National Championship, the UCLA Bruins set a WNBA record with six total players drafted, including a staggering five in the first round alone—surpassing the previous record of four set by UConn in 2002.
- Expansion Firsts: The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire officially began building their rosters, making their first-ever entry draft selections at picks No. 6 and No. 7, respectively.
- UConn Reunion in Dallas: Azzi Fudd went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings, reuniting her with former teammate and 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers to form a lethal backcourt.
- Draft-Night Blockbuster: In a surprising move, the Golden State Valkyries selected LSU star Flau'jae Johnson at No. 8, only to trade her to the Seattle Storm within the hour.