WNBA Celebrates 30th Season and Releases 2026 Game Schedules

Finally some women’s basketball news and updates. A new season is on the horizon so get ready to remember a few dates because the WNBA celebrates its 30th Season and teams are releasing their 2026 game schedules. Therefore, when is tip-off?

Well, the WNBA is set to begin its season on May 8. Of course, this is assuming that the league and the players’ union can come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. A situation that seemed to be at a complete standstill not too long ago.

Nevertheless, basketball fans continue to hope for the best. And hope that everything works out fine. If it does, during 2026 teams will play 44 games over a five-month period with a 17-day break for the FIBA World Cup in early September. The Commissioner’s Cup will run from June 1-17, with the title game played on June 30. Additionally, All-Star Weekend will be July 24-25.

Furthermore, an extremely fun and competitive matchup to keep in mind will be the Indiana Fever versus Dallas Wings. A Caitlin Clark going against Paige Bueckers special. The Fever will open the season in their house (Gainbridge Fieldhouse) and host the Wings on Saturday May 9th.

WNBA Celebrates 30th Season and Releases 2026 Game Schedules

Nonetheless, Wednesday afternoon the league released a press release regarding the WNBA’s 30th anniversary tip off and the introduction of two new teams. The Women’s National Basketball Association declared,

“The WNBA today released its game schedule for the 2026 regular season, the league’s 30th, which will begin on Friday, May 8. The regular season will conclude on Thursday, Sept. 24, followed by the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel.

The milestone season will feature two new teams – the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo – and 44 games per team. with each team playing 22 home games and 22 road games. Highlights include a rematch of the league’s inaugural game in 1997, with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the New York Liberty on Sunday, June 21, on the anniversary of the original matchup. In addition, the sixth annual WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase will feature a 17-day period in June when the schedule will consist entirely of Cup games.

The WNBA will unveil its complete television and streaming schedule at a later date. That schedule is expected to include over 200 of 330 games being available through the league’s national broadcast and streaming partners.

“As we prepare to tip off the WNBA’s historic 30th season, this schedule reflects both how far the league has come and the momentum that continues to drive us forward,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “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 ture. With a record number of games, growing global reach, and unprecedented momentum, this milesto ason will help define the next chapter of the WNBA

All 15 teams will be in action during opening weekend as part of WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax.”

So then to sum up some key features of the WNBA’s 2026 season:

-regular season scheduled to run May 8-Sept. 24; playoffs to start Sept. 27

-44 regular season games per team (same as ’25)

-break for World Cup to run Aug. 31-Sept. 16 (WC runs Sept. 4-13)

We can’t wait to see the ladies back in action. Will the Aces remain on top? Or will a new team reign supreme? Be sure to catch all the basketball action beginning in May!

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