The 2026 WNBA playoffs begin Sept. 27, with eight teams competing for the title. The schedule runs through Oct. 31 if the Finals need seven games; broadcasts are on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, NBC, NBCSN and USA, while Prime Video streams three first-round games.
The field comprises the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings. The Mystics and Wings return after two seasons without qualifying.
The first round is best-of-three and the semifinals best-of-five, scheduled for Oct. 4–14. The best-of-seven Finals are set for Oct. 17–31 if all seven games are needed; most first-round and semifinal matchups and start times remain TBD. Peacock streams every semifinal and Finals game. YouTube TV, DirecTV and Fubo offer access to games on ABC, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2 and USA, while ESPN Unlimited also streams ABC and ESPN games.
