How to look at 2026 WNBA playoffs: Schedule, TV channels for every first-round collection
The longest WNBA marketing campaign ever offers method to one among its most wide-open postseasons in years. With the bracket now set, it seems to be like all eight playoff entrants have a viable path to glory … ought to they escape this loaded first spherical.
Stars shine shiny as knockout basketball notches up the depth. Perennial MVP A’ja Wilson leads the Las Vegas Aces of their title protection versus ever-popular Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The propulsive Olivia Miles and the heat-checking Paige Bueckers make their playoff debuts. Air is about to skinny and plots are about to thicken.
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Check out the complete TV schedule beneath. Series are better of three, and all occasions are ET.
You can watch the WNBA playoffs on Fubo (Stream Free Now).
2026 WNBA playoffs schedule: First spherical
No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 New York Liberty
Game 1 at Minnesota: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2 p.m. on ABC
Game 2 at New York: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 8:30 p.m. on USA and CNBC
Game 3 at Minnesota (if vital): Thursday, Oct. 1, TBD
This season’s prime group has been the Lynx, rallying across the emergence of Miles and the return of Napheesa Collier. But the No. 1 seed is not any positive factor towards the No. 8 Liberty, on this rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals. Once once more, New York is led by the likes of Sabrina Ionescu within the backcourt and Breanna Stewart within the paint.
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No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas Wings
Game 1 at Golden State: Sunday, Sept. 27, 9 p.m. on USA and CNBC
Game 2 at Dallas: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 9 p.m. on ESPN
Game 3 at Golden State (if vital): Friday, Oct. 2, TBD
Last 12 months’s Valkyries have been a captivating instance of what enlargement groups can aspire to instantly. This 12 months’s group is a flat-out downside, rating first in each defensive score and made 3-pointers. Gabby Williams headlines a two-way pressure in violet with an incredible home-court benefit in “Ballhalla.” No. 2 Golden State is challenged by Bueckers’ seventh-seeded Wings, who’ve sufficient offense to maintain up in nearly any matchup.
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No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
Game 1 at Las Vegas: Sunday, Sept. 27, 4 p.m. on ABC
Game 2 at Indiana: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6:30 p.m. on Prime Video
Game 3 at Las Vegas (if vital): Thursday, Oct. 1, TBD
The most attractive first-round pairing is likely to be the No. 3 Aces and No. 6 Fever. This absolute banger options the W’s two greatest stars in Wilson and Clark. Vegas and Indy met in final 12 months’s semifinals as nicely, in a wild collection that pushed the eventual champion Aces to the brink. Clark was on ice for that one — this time round, her presence can be felt from the bounce.
No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics
Game 1 at Atlanta: Sunday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. on Prime Video
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Game 2 at Washington: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m. on ESPN
Game 3 at Atlanta (if vital): Friday, Oct. 2, TBD
The closest of those attracts seems to be just like the No. 4 Dream towards the No. 5 Mystics. Atlanta offers Angel Reese her first minutes of playoff basketball, whereas organising DeWanna Bonner for a heroic potential sendoff. Meanwhile, Washington is available in with the promising pick-and-roll duo of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.
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