WNBA playoffs schedule 2026: Dates released for postseason

The WNBA released the postseason schedule for 2026 on Wednesday. The best-of-three first round opens with four games on Sunday, Sept. 27. The best-of-five semifinals will tip off Sunday, Oct. 4. The WNBA Finals' best-of-seven series opens Saturday, Oct. 17.

The first round is a 1-1-1 format, where the better seed hosts Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. The semifinals is a 2-2-1, where the better seeds hosts Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, Game 5. The better seed in the WNBA Finals hosts Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 5 and 7 in a 2-2-1-1- format.

First round

Best-of-three series

Sunday, Sept. 27

Game 1: 2 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 1: 4 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 1: TBD, Prime

Game 1: 9 p.m. ET, USA

Tuesday, Sept. 29

Game 2: TBD, USA

Game 2: TBD, Prime

Wednesday, Sept. 30

Game 2: TBD, ESPN

Game 2: TBD, ESPN

Thursday, Oct. 1

Game 3*: TBD, ESPN

Game 3*: TBD, USA

Friday, Oct. 2

Game 3*: TBD, ESPN2

Game 3*: TBD, Prime

Semifinals

Best-of-five series

Sunday, Oct. 4

Game 1: TBD, ABC

Game 1: TBD, NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Oct. 7

Game 2: TBD, ESPN

Game 2: TBD, Peacock/NBCSN

Friday, Oct. 9

Game 3: TBD, ESPN2

Game 3: TBD, Peacock/NBCSN

Sunday, Oct. 11

Game 4*: TBD, ABC

Game 4*: TBD, NBC, Peacock

Wednesday, Oct. 14

Game 5*: TBD, ESPN

Game 5*: TBD, Peacock/NBCSN

WNBA Finals

Best-of-seven series

Saturday, Oct. 17

Game 1: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock

Monday, Oct. 19

Game 2: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Thursday, Oct. 22

Game 3: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Saturday, Oct. 24

Game 4: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock

Monday, Oct. 26

Game 5*: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Thursday, Oct. 29

Game 6*: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Saturday, Oct. 31

Game 7*: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

* If necessary