The 2026 WNBA playoffs begin Sunday, September 27 with four first round Game 1s and can run as late as October 31. The eight teams are already set: Minnesota, Golden State, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Indiana, New York, Washington and Dallas. Seeding is decided over the final week of the regular season, with Minnesota (31-9) holding the top spot entering the last four games.
Key Dates
| Round | Format | Dates | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| First round | Best of three (1-1-1) | Sept. 27 to about Oct. 1 | ABC, ESPN, Prime Video, USA Network |
| Semifinals | Best of five (2-2-1) | From Oct. 4 | ESPN networks, Prime Video, USA |
| Finals | Best of seven (2-2-1-1-1) | Game 1 Sat Oct. 17; Game 2 Mon Oct. 19; Game 3 Thu Oct. 22; through Oct. 31 if needed | NBC and Peacock (Game 1), USA and Peacock (Games 2 and 3), full slate per league |
Opening Day: Sunday, September 27
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| First round Game 1 | 2 p.m. | ABC |
| First round Game 1 | 4 p.m. | ABC |
| First round Game 1 | TBD | Prime Video |
| First round Game 1 | 9 p.m. | USA Network |
Matchups are filled in once seeding is final. Game 2s are Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30, with Game 3s the following days if needed.
How Seeding and Home Court Work
The eight playoff teams are seeded 1 through 8 by record regardless of conference: 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5. In the best of three first round the higher seed hosts Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. In the best of five semifinals the higher seed hosts Games 1, 2 and 5. In the Finals the higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. This is the second season of the seven game Finals; last year’s series ended in a four game Aces sweep of Phoenix.
Where the Seeding Stands
| Team | Record | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Lynx | 31-9 | Two games clear for the No. 1 seed |
| Golden State Valkyries | 29-11 | |
| Las Vegas Aces | 27-13 | Defending champions |
| Atlanta Dream | 26-14 | Tied with Indiana |
| Indiana Fever | 26-14 | Tied with Atlanta |
| New York Liberty | 24-16 | Three way tie for 6 through 8 |
| Washington Mystics | 24-16 | |
| Dallas Wings | 24-16 |
Records through Wednesday, September 16, with four regular season games left per team. The 4 vs. 5 and 6 through 8 ties are the seeding battles to watch this week.
Related
WNBA standings · Sports on TV today
The Bottom Line
Eight teams are in, seeding is still open, and the first round tips Sunday, September 27 on ABC, Prime Video and USA. Finals start October 17 on NBC and Peacock.