WNBA Opening Weekend 2026: Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson And Full TV Schedule

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The WNBAs 30th season tips off amid a surge of attention that has pushed the league deeper into the mainstream than ever before. Fueled by the arrival of young stars including Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and now Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles, heated rivalries, sold-out arenas, and nonstop online debate, the league enters the new season with a level of visibility that feels fundamentally different from years past.

Furthermore, the league is more accessible to fans than ever before. The WNBA will have a record 216 nationally televised and streamed games during the 2026 regular season across ABC/ESPN, CBS, NBC, ION, USA Network, Prime Video, Peacock, and NBA TV. The Indiana Fever have the most national games with 44, followed by the youth filled Dallas Wings with 36, and the two veteran heavy rosters of the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces with 35 and 33 games respectively.

Where To Watch WNBA Opening Weekend

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Friday, May 8 Games

The first night of games will see the No. 2 preseason ranked New York Liberty take on the Connecticut Sun at home in Barclays Center on Friday, May 8 at 7:30 pm EST on ION and WNBA League Pass.

In the same time slot, the Toronto Tempo, lead by former Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello play their first game in league history at home in Coca-Cola Coliseum against the Washington Mystics on ION And WNBA League Pass.

In the last game on Friday night, a battle on the west coast ensues between the Golden State Valkyries and the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge arena. The game is on ION and WNBA League Pass, starting at 10 pm EST.

Saturday, May 9 Games

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Perhaps the most anticipated match-up of opening weekend will be a showdown between the last several seasons No. 1 overall draft picks as the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers, and Azzi Fudd look to steal a win from Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston at home in Gainbridge Arena. The primetime game starts at 1 pm EST on ABC, as well as is available on Disney+.

Indiana was ranked No. 3 in the pre-season WNBA polls, and with Clark back and healthy, as well as securing Boston and guard Kelsey Mitchell to seven figure deals, the Fever are looking to begin a championship run.

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At 3:30 pm EST on ABC the 2025 Finals rematch is set between pre-season No. 1 Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury. The Aces are fueled again by their veteran heavy roster including the league‘s best player in A’ja Wilson.

The 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and Finals MVP signed on April 15 to one of the largest deal in league history. Wilson, inked a contract worth $5 million over three years.

The Aces also secured the talent around Wilson that has made them an especially deadly team including, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd and floor general in Chelsea Gray.

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The Saturday evening games will see Angel Reese, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and the No. 4 pre-season ranked Atlanta Dream face off against the Minnesota Lynx, who have completely rebuilt their roster. The game being played at Target Center in Minneapolis is only available on WNBA League Pass, starting at 8 pm EST.

Finally, capping off Saturday games, the Chicago Sky featuring former Liberty point guard Natasha Cloud, and former Storm guard Skylar Diggins will play the other expansion team in the Portland Fire. The Fires first game in the league is at home in Moda Center in Portland at 9 pm EST on NBA TV.

Sunday, May 10 Games

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Rounding out opening weekend, the Storm will take on the Connecticut Sun in Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncaseville, CT at 1 pm EST on WNBA League Pass. This is the last year the Sun will play in their home arena, as the league announced the team would be relocating to Houston in 2027.

At 3 pm EST, the Mystics will host the Liberty in CareFirst Arena, only available on WNBA League Pass.

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In the only game available on national broadcast on Sunday, the Aces will travel to Crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Sparks and former teammate Kelsey Plum at 6pm EST on USA.

In the last game of opening weekend, the Mercury and Valkyries head to the loudest arena in the league at Chase Center in San Francisco at 8:30 pm EST, available to watch with WNBA League Pass.