How to watch the 2026 WNBA season: When is Caitlin Clark's first game? Where to stream, opening week TV schedule, and more

The 30th WNBA season tips off this Friday, May 8, 2026, with a three-game slate featuring the Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty, Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo, and Golden State Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm. This year, games are spread across a whopping 10+ channels/platforms, including ABC, ESPN, NBC, ION, and Amazon Prime Video, to name a few.

The ease with which you can watch this season will depend on which team you’re trying to follow. Want to catch all of Caitlin Clark’s games? The Indiana Fever’s entire 44-game schedule will air nationally, making it super easy to tune in. But the New York Liberty will have only 33 of its games broadcast nationally, and for teams like the Las Vegas Aces and Chicago Sky, that number is even lower.

Here’s what you need to know about watching the 2026 WNBA season live, from this week’s opening games, all the way through the WNBA playoffs.

When does the WNBA season start?

The 2026 WNBA season tips off with a three-game opening night slate on Friday, May 8, 2026.

When is Caitlin Clark’s first game?

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever’s first game of the season is on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The Fever will host the Dallas Wings for a 1 p.m. ET game, airing on ABC and streaming live on Disney+.

What channel are WNBA games on?

For the 2026 season, WNBA games will be spread across a wide range of channels (and streaming platforms). Games will air on ABC, ESPN (and ESPN2/ESPN+), CBS, NBC (and NBCSN), ION, USA Network, and NBA TV. Plus, some games will be exclusive to Amazon Prime Video; games that air on NBC will stream on Peacock; games on CBS will be available on Paramount+; and select games airing on ABC will stream on Disney+. Certain games will also be available only via League Pass.

Confused? Overwhelmed? Don’t have cable these days? Here’s a loose weekly schedule for which nights of the week get which channels, plus what you’ll need to watch WNBA games in 2026:

• Sunday — ABC, CBS, ESPN, NBA TV, or NBC

• Monday — NBCSN/Peacock or USA

• Tuesday — ESPN

• Wednesday — USA

• Thursday — NBA TV or Prime Video

• Friday — ION

• Saturday — ABC, CBS or NBCSN/Peacock

Where to watch WNBA games without cable:

Where to stream WNBA games:

WNBA season opening week TV schedule:

Friday, May 8, 2026

• Connecticut Sun @ New York Liberty: 7:30 PM (ION / League Pass)

• Washington Mystics @ Toronto Tempo: 7:30 PM (ION / League Pass)

• Golden State Valkyries @ Seattle Storm: 10:00 PM (ION / League Pass)

Saturday, May 9, 2026

• Dallas Wings @ Indiana Fever: 1:00 PM (ABC / Disney+)

• Phoenix Mercury @ Las Vegas Aces: 3:30 PM (ABC / Disney+)

• Atlanta Dream @ Minnesota Lynx: 8:00 PM (Local Broadcasters)

• Chicago Sky @ Portland Fire: 9:00 PM (NBA TV)

Sunday, May 10, 2026

• Seattle Storm @ Connecticut Sun: 1:00 PM (League Pass / no national TV)

• New York Liberty @ Washington Mystics: 3:00 PM (Local Broadcasters)

• Las Vegas Aces @ Los Angeles Sparks: 6:00 PM (USA Network)

• Phoenix Mercury @ Golden State Valkyries: 8:30 PM (Local Broadcasters)

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

• Atlanta Dream @ Dallas Wings: 8:00 PM (Local Broadcasters)

• Minnesota Lynx @ Phoenix Mercury: 10:00 PM (League Pass / no national TV)

• New York Liberty @ Portland Fire: 10:00 PM (Local Broadcasters)

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

• Seattle Storm @ Toronto Tempo: 7:00 PM (League Pass / no national TV)

• Las Vegas Aces @ Connecticut Sun: 8:00 PM (USA Network)

• Chicago Sky @ Golden State Valkyries: 10:00 PM (Local Broadcasters)

• Indiana Fever @ Los Angeles Sparks: 10:30 PM (USA Network)

Thursday, May 14, 2026

• Minnesota Lynx @ Dallas Wings: 8:00 PM (Prime Video)

• New York Liberty @ Portland Fire: 10:00 PM (Prime Video / Local Broadcasters)

More ways to watch WNBA games in 2026: