The 30th Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) season tips off on Friday, May 8. And with two expansion teams, star players across the league, and teams geared up to battle for the title, it’s going to be the most action-packed season yet.
Whether you own a bar, restaurant or a business with a waiting room, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS® will give your customers a winning sports package that will have fans coming back all season long.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 WNBA season, and how DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS can help turn every game into an arena-like experience for your customers.
How to Watch WNBA on DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS
DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS puts viewers courtside for all 2026 WNBA action so you don’t miss a single shot, layup or defensive stop. Here are all the ways to watch games live on TV this season:
- ESPN (channel 206)
- ESPN2 (channel 209)
- ABC – Find your local network
- CBS – Find your local network
- NBC – Find your local network
- USA Network (channel 242)
- Ion TV (channel 305)
- Amazon Prime Video (channel 9549-9550)
- NBA TV (channel 216)
Don’t have DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS yet? Getting started is easy!
Why Showing WNBA Can Be a Great Shot for Your Business
Marketing your sports bar or restaurant as the go-to place to watch all the WNBA action can help you tap into a growing customer base while providing a boost to your bottom line.
-
A growing audience: The 2025 WNBA season was an all-around viewership success. It was the most watched regular season since 1998, averaging 969,000 viewers for nationally televised games across the board, a 3% increase from the previous season. And it was the most watched full season across the ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC), with an average of 1.2 million viewers, up 5% year-over-year. Even the pre-game broadcasts saw a rise in viewership, with ESPN’s WNBA Countdown Presented by Google averaging 437,000 viewers, up 30% year-over-year across 13 episodes.
-
New teams, new markets: The 2026 season will see two expansion teams, with the Toronto Tempo, the league’s first Canadian team, and the Portland Fire hitting the court. A bigger league means more markets. More markets means more fans watching.
-
Most coverage ever: Another benefit of two expansion teams? More TV time. The 2026 season will see a record 216 games and events on national TV, meaning more opportunity to fill seats at your business.
-
The star factor: Star players put fans in seats. And, from Caitlin Clark’s return from a mostly-injured 2025 season to A’ja Wilson aiming for another MVP, the WNBA’s star power has never been brighter.
Booming viewership numbers. New teams. Star players. More games on TV than ever before. All reasons to show the 2026 WNBA season at your business.
From Opening Tip to the Playoffs: Key Dates on the 2026 WNBA Calendar
The 2026 WNBA regular season hits the court on May 8 and ends on September 24, with playoff action right after that. That means more than five months to show every three-point shot at your business.
Here are some key games and big moments to plan around:
-
Opening night: The 2026 WNBA regular season opens on Friday, May 8, with a three-game slate: Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty, Washington Mystics at Toronto Tempo (the first franchise game for Toronto) and Golden State Valkyries at Seattle Storm.
-
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Tournament: The annual in-season tournament takes place June 1-17, with the tournament championship being played on June 30, 2026.
-
WNBA All-Star Game: The best of the best show their stuff during the WNBA All-Star Game on July 25.
-
FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Break: The league will pause between August 31 – September 16, 2026, to allow players to compete for their countries at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. Team USA will seek a fifth consecutive title.
-
Playoffs and championship: The 2026 WNBA playoffs are set to begin on September 27, with the top eight teams qualifying. The first round series are best-of-three, the semifinals best-of-five and the Finals best-of-seven.
With 15 teams playing 44 regular season games each, it can be a lot to keep up with. The DIRECTV sports schedule keeps you dialed in with all games, making it easier to plan staffing, promotions and screen setups in advance.
Three Points to Give Your Business the Lead
Here are a few things you can do to entertain WNBA-loving fans at your business:
-
Throw game-day watch parties: Host special events for home team games and big moments throughout the season like opening night and the playoffs. And give your place an arena setting with food and drink specials. Well-timed happy hour pricing during games gives fans even more incentive to stick around.
-
Seat fans courtside: With smart placement of high-quality screens and a strong lineup of games through DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS, fans will never miss a shot.
-
Promote your business as the WNBA headquarters: Use email, social and in-venue signage to remind your customers your business is the place to watch the leader in sports. Through the DIRECTV MVP Marketing Program, order gameday-ready signage, coasters and other materials that make it clear your business is their sports hub.
Win With DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS
DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS puts you in the starting lineup all season long with a reliable viewing experience designed for live sports entertainment. Enjoy:
-
99% signal reliability
-
Standard professional installation included
-
Dedicated customer support
-
Access to Sports Bar Finder to help basketball fans discover your location
DIRECTV is a leader in sports and delivers a one-stop shop for live programming across WNBA, MLB, MLS, Formula 1, NBA, NHL and more, all through a single streamlined system built for business. Call 888.303.9117 to explore DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS packages for your business this season.
Don’t miss a shot this season. Explore DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS packages today.
