Particle.news
Get it on Google Play
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

WNBA Announces 2026 Playoff Schedule With Dates and Broadcasters

The league set exact game dates, TV windows and contingency days as teams finish the regular season with seeding still undecided after the World Cup break.

Image
Jul 30, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; General view of the WNBA logo on the court before a game between the Minnesota Lynx and Toronto Tempo at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

Overview

  • The WNBA announced the full postseason calendar on Wednesday, setting Round 1 to begin Sept. 27 and the Finals to start Oct. 17 with a potential Game 7 on Oct. 31.
  • The postseason keeps the 2025 format: first round best-of-three, semifinals best-of-five and Finals best-of-seven, and the league published specific contingency dates for any deciding games.
  • Eight teams have clinched playoff berths — Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings — but final seedings remain unsettled.
  • The regular season pauses for the FIBA World Cup and resumes Sept. 17, concluding Sept. 24 so each team will play four more games that will determine home-court for the playoffs.
  • National broadcast plans were released with first-round and semifinal windows across the ABC/ESPN family, USA, Prime Video, NBCSN and Peacock, and the Finals carrying on NBC, USA and Peacock.