WNBA releases 2026 playoff schedule: Eight teams competing for championship

The WNBA is on a break as the best women’s basketball players in the world compete in the FIBA World Cup in Berlin, Germany.

But there is plenty going on behind the scenes, as the league announced its postseason schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Each WNBA team has four regular-season games left before the playoffs begin.

The top eight teams – the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings – are already locked in to the playoffs. Seeding, on the other hand, is still up for grabs.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) receives a pass from center-forward Aliyah Boston (7) with Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) defending in the fourth quarter at Target Center on Aug. 2, 2026.

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) receives a pass from center-forward Aliyah Boston (7) with Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) defending in the fourth quarter at Target Center on Aug. 2, 2026.

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Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) blocks a shot by Chicago Sky guard Sydney Taylor (12) during the second half at the American Airlines Center on July 12, 2026.

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The playoffs will begin with the first round on Sunday, Sept. 27, with a quadruple header, covering all four matchups. The round is best of three and concludes no later than Friday, Oct. 2. Games in the first round will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, USA and Prime Video.

The semifinals start on Sunday, Oct. 4 with a doubleheader. The best-of-five series will conclude no later than Wednesday, Oct. 14. Semifinal games will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, NBCSN and Peacock.

The WNBA Finals, a best-of-seven series, begin Saturday, Oct. 17, and finish no later than Saturday, Oct. 31. The Finals will be broadcast on NBC, USA and Peacock.

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