It’s been a hard-fought season across the WNBA, and the moment every has been chasing all year is finally here: the 2026 WNBA Playoffs.
Wondering which WNBA teams made the 2026 WNBA Playoffs and how to watch all of the action on the courts? Here’s your complete guide to watching the WNBA Playoffs this season.
You can catch all the WNBA action live with DIRECTV!
Which Teams Made the 2026 WNBA Playoffs?
Here are the eight teams that made the 2026 WNBA Playoffs. Struck through teams have been eliminated.
- Minnesota Lynx
- Golden State Valkyries
- Las Vegas Aces
- Atlanta Dream
- Washington Mystics
- Indiana Fever
- Dallas Wings
- New York Liberty
2026 WNBA Playoffs Schedule
Here’s the full schedule of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs.
* = if necessary
First Round (Best of 3)
Sunday, Sept. 27
(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) New York Liberty – Game 1 – TBD
(2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (7) Dallas Wings – Game 1 – TBD
(3) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Indiana Fever – Game 1 – TBD
(4) Atlanta Dream vs. (5) Washington Mystics – Game 1 – TBD
Tuesday, Sept. 29
TBD vs. TBD – Game 2 – USA
TBD vs. TBD – Game 2 – Prime Video
Wednesday, Sept. 30
TBD vs. TBD – Game 2 – ESPN
TBD vs. TBD – Game 2 – ESPN
Thursday, Oct. 1
TBD vs. TBD – Game 3* – ESPN
TBD vs. TBD – Game 3* – USA
Friday, Oct. 2
TBD vs. TBD – Game 3* – ESPN2
TBD vs. TBD – Game 3* – Prime Video
Semifinals (Best of 5)
Sunday, Oct. 4
TBD vs. TBD – Game 1 – NBC
TBD vs. TBD – Game 1 – ABC
Wednesday, Oct. 7
TBD vs. TBD – Game 2 – ESPN
TBD vs. TBD – Game 2 – NBC
Friday, Oct. 9
TBD vs. TBD – Game 3 – NBC
TBD vs. TBD – Game 3 – ESPN2
Sunday, Oct. 11
TBD vs. TBD – Game 4* – NBC
TBD vs. TBD – Game 4* – ABC
Wednesday, Oct. 14
TBD vs. TBD – Game 5* – ESPN
TBD vs. TBD – Game 5* – NBC
WNBA Finals (Best of 7)
Saturday, Oct. 17
TBD vs. TBD – Game 1 – 3:30 p.m. ET – NBC
Monday, Oct. 19
TBD vs. TBD – Game 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET – NBC
Thursday, Oct. 22
TBD vs. TBD – Game 3 – 8 p.m. ET – NBC
Saturday, Oct. 24
TBD vs. TBD – Game 4 – 3:30 p.m. ET – NBC
Monday, Oct. 26
TBD vs. TBD – Game 5* – 8 p.m. ET – NBC
Thursday, Oct. 29
TBD vs. TBD – Game 6* – 8 p.m. ET – NBC
Saturday, Oct. 31
TBD vs. TBD – Game 7* – 8 p.m. ET – NBC
How Do the WNBA Playoffs Work?
The top eight WNBA teams make the playoffs, which is played as a bracket tournament with a series of best-of-three first round matchups, best-of-five semi-final and best-of-seven final rounds.
Teams are seeded based on their finish on the standings in the regular season, and the team with the higher seed gets to play at home, with all of the advantages that come along with that.
Who Won the 2025 WNBA Championship?
The Las Vegas Aces won the 2025 WNBA title over the Phoenix Mercury in the first WNBA Final to feature a best-of-seven format in the league’s history.
Watch WNBA on DIRECTV
You can catch every moment of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs on DIRECTV. Get your subscription today!
Frequently asked questions
When do the WNBA Finals start?
Who won the WNBA playoffs last season?
Who won the WNBA playoffs last season?
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