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How to watch WNBA games: WNBA 2026 schedule, TV channels, streaming links & more

The wait is officially over. The WNBA reached historic heights last year, and as we sit on the eve of the 30th anniversary season, the league is poised for an absolute takeover. With a brand new media rights deal kicking in and expansion fever sweeping North America, the 2026 campaign is set to be the most-watched in women's sports history.

Two years after the seismic arrivals of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, the league’s landscape has shifted again. Reese’s blockbuster trade to the Atlanta Dream this past April has turned the "A" into a title contender overnight. Meanwhile, Clark continues to be the most dangerous offensive engine in the league for the Indiana Fever.

The reigning champion Las Vegas Aces enter 2026 with a target on their backs. After winning their third title in four years (2022, 2023, 2025), A’ja Wilson is hunting for a "three-peat" (interrupted by the Liberty in 2024), but the path is harder than ever. Not only is the competition stiffer, but the arrival of two new expansion franchises—the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire—brings the league to 15 teams and adds fresh chaos to the schedule.

When does the WNBA season start?

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The 2026 WNBA regular season tips off tomorrow, Friday, May 8, 2026.

WNBA 2026 key dates to know

  • WNBA Tip-Off Weekend: May 8–10, 2026.   
  • WNBA Draft: April 13, 2026 (7:30 PM ET on ESPN).   
  • Commissioner's Cup Play: June 1–17, 2026.   
  • Commissioner's Cup Championship: June 30, 2026.   
  • WNBA All-Star Game: July 25, 2026 (United Center, Chicago).   
  • FIBA World Cup Break: August 31 – September 16, 2026.   
  • Regular Season Finale: September 24, 2026.   
  • WNBA Playoffs Tip-Off: September 27, 2026.   

How to watch WNBA games in 2026

WNBA games are shown on multiple channels and networks throughout the United States, including ABC, ESPN, CBS, ION, Prime Video, and NBA TV. Most of these channels are also available as streaming offerings through providers such as Fubo, Sling TV, and DirecTV.

ServicePriceWNBA CoverageBest For
WNBA League Pass$34.99/yr130+ Out-of-Market GamesVolume, Replays
ESPN Unlimited$29.99/moAll ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 GamesPlayoff/Draft access
Peacock$7.99/moAll NBC/USA Network GamesBudget NBCU access
Amazon Prime$14.99/mo30 Games + Comm. Cup FinalGlobal members
YouTube TV$83.00/moAll National Linear ChannelsFull replacement
Sling Orange$40.00/moESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3Budget ESPN access

Team News & Storylines to Watch

  • The Reese Move: In the biggest trade of the year, the Atlanta Dream acquired superstar Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky. Her pairing with Rhyne Howard makes Atlanta an instant title contender.
  • UConn Reunion in Dallas: The Dallas Wings used their No. 1 overall pick to draft Azzi Fudd, reuniting her with 2025 No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers. The Wings are now arguably the most exciting young team in the league.
  • Expansion Era: The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire enter the league this year, bringing the total to 15 teams. Toronto’s roster is headlined by Marina Mabrey, while Portland is built around Bridget Carleton and Haley Jones.

Are you planning to catch the Toronto Tempo’s historic home opener, or are you keeping your eyes on the Aces’ quest for a 2026 three-peat?

Base subscriptions to these providers will not cover all games, particularly those on Prime Video, and some may require customers to opt for an add-on package to complete their collection and ensure they have the selection they want. Below, GOAL breaks down everything you need to know about each streaming service:

  • new fubo logofubo

    Fubo

    Available in a trio of English-language tiers - Pro, Elite and Ultimate - plus an extra Spanish-language option, fuboTV has carved out a place as one of the more popular providers across the North American streaming market for its in-depth roster of channels, multi-screen capability and DVR capacity.

    ABC, CBS, and ESPN will be standard across most, while NBA TV is also part of all three main plans. If you want to bolster your offerings, you can purchase the streamer’s Sports Plus with NFL Red Zone add-on for an extra $11.00 per month.

    However, to ensure full coverage, you will need to get a separate subscription to Prime Video, which is not included in any of its packages. You’ll see the lion’s share of WNBA games with fuboTV, but not everything.

    FuboTV subscription plans

    PlanMonthly priceFree trialDVRChannels
    Fubo Pro$73.997 day1000 hours208
    Fubo Elite$83.997 day1000 hours272
    Fubo Deluxe$103.997 day1000 hours295

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  • Sling TV logo (large)Sling TV

    Sling TV

    For viewers looking to run their entertainment options on a budget, Sling TV has forged a reputation as one of the most affordable providers on the market, with two options - Blue and Orange - available at $40.00 per month individually or packaged together for $60.00 per month.

    Again, ABC, CBS and ESPN are standard with these, but you will need an add-on to include NBA TV in your package, with Sports Extra available for an additional $11.00 per month.

    That still leaves you short on Prime Video, though, meaning you will need to take out that additional subscription to ensure full coverage of WNBA fixtures.

    Sling TV subscription plans

    PlanMonthly priceFree trialDVRChannels
    Sling Orange$45.99No50 hours30+
    Sling Blue$45.99No50 hours40+
    Sling Orange + Blue$60.99No50 hours45+

  • DirecTVDirecTV

    DirecTV Stream

    Among the most expensive providers on the market, DirecTV Stream at least ensures customers get suitable bang for their books, with ABC, CBS and ESPN available as standard across all of their package formats - Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate and Premier - at no extra cost.

    Minus the former, all also carry NBA TV, on Channel 216, ensuring that subscribers can watch not just WNBA coverage there but the rest of their favorite court action too from across the NBA season.

    Those higher price tags might put some customers off, however. As with all of their rival providers, you will need to take out a Prime Video subscription separately for full coverage.

    DirecTV Stream subscription plans

    PlanMonthly priceFree trialDVRChannels
    Entertainment$89.99NoUnlimited90+
    Choice$104.98NoUnlimited125+
    Ultimate$134.98NoUnlimited160+

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  • Amazon Prime Video Logo

    Prime Video

    Some customers might not think sport when they take a look at Amazon’s streaming service, but Prime Video has diversified its roster of coverage over the past few years and now packs quite the resume when it comes to live action.

    In addition to WNBA fixtures, you can watch the NFL’s Thursday Night Football, select races from the NASCAR Cup Series and coverage of a host of NWSL matches to boot.

    At a reasonably low price, too, it won’t break the bank when purchased separately alongside another streaming package and will help to fill out your options if you’re a die-hard fan looking to get the best of all the action.

    Prime Video subscription plans

    PlanMonthly priceFree trial
    Prime Membership$14.99Yes
    Prime Video$8.99Yes
    Prime Student$7.49Yes
  • Arike Ogunbowale Dallas Wings WNBAGetty Images

    FAQs

    What channel is the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game on?

    The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, the annual matchup between the best players from the league in two select teams, will take place this year on Saturday, July 19, from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, the home court of Indiana Fever.

    The game will be shown on primetime broadcast through ABC for the third year running and also on ESPN. The fixture is due to start at 20:30 ET.

    How can I watch Caitlin Clark’s WNBA games?

    Caitlin Clark, who was the top pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, will play for the Indiana Fever this season as well, and is expected to draw more viewers to her games than the previous term.

    FanDuel Sports Network will stream only five Indiana Fever games. However, for the other games, viewers will have to consult their weekly schedule to find out where they can watch Clark in action.

    What teams will compete across the 2025 WNBA season?

    Thirteen teams will compete across the 2025 WNBA season, split across two conferences.

    The Eastern Conference will consist of the Atlanta Dream, the Chicago Sky, the Connecticut Sun, the Indiana Fever, the New York Liberty, and the Washington Mystics.

    The Western Conference will consist of the Dallas Wings, the Golden State Valkyries, the Las Vegas Aces, the Los Angeles Sparks, the Minnesota Lynx, the Phoenix Mercury, and the Seattle Storm.

    How long is the 2025 WNBA season?

    The 2025 WNBA regular season lasts four months, from Friday, May 16, to Thursday, September 11. Thanks to the addition of the Golden State Valkyries, each team will play 44 games this season.

    When is the WNBA 2025 final game?

    The 2025 WNBA Finals will begin with eight teams on Sunday, September 14, with a last possible date of Sunday, October 19 for the final game of the postseason campaign.