Despite not reaching a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the players’ association, the league is still operating as usual. On Wednesday, the WNBA officially released the 2026 season schedule.
This is per Colin Salao of Front Office Sports, who reported the new schedule. The schedule will include 44 games, and 200 of the 330 games are expected to be on national television.
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Furthermore, the 2026 season will mark the debut of the expansion franchise Toronto Tempo and the return of the Portland Fire. The Fire had previously played in the WNBA from 2000 to 2002.
The Tempo will play their first game against the Washington Mystics on May 8, the season’s official tip-off date.
Meanwhile, the Fire will play their first game against the Chicago Sky on May 9. Also on the same day, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces will face the Indiana Fever in a highly anticipated clash between A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark.
Then on June 21, the Los Angeles Sparks will play host to the New York Liberty. It will commemorate the WNBA’s inaugural game on June 21, 1997, when the Sparks hosted the Liberty at the Great Western Forum.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for July 25 in Chicago. But despite the exciting announcement, there is still lack of agreement between the WNBPA and the league over a new CBA.
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Lately, WNBA stars have demanded a 30% share of revenue, whereas the league is proposing a significantly lower share. But the league and player’s assocation recently agreed to a temporary moratorium on free agency until a CBA is reached.
Nonetheless, as at the moment, some of the top players in the W are currently competing in the second season of the Unrivaled League.
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