The 2026 WNBA playoffs tip off on Sunday, September 27, featuring an eight-team postseason bracket locked in on the final night of the regular season. The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx face the eighth-seeded New York Liberty in a first-round rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals, setting the stage for a high-stakes postseason race across the league.
2026 WNBA Playoff Format and Schedule
The postseason opens with best-of-three series in the first round, where the higher seed hosts Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. The bracket structure means teams do not reseed after the opening round. Semifinal matchups move to a best-of-five format, while the WNBA Finals culminate in a best-of-seven series.
First-round action begins Sunday, September 27, with games airing across ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, Prime Video, and USA Network. The WNBA Finals are scheduled to tip off Saturday, October 17, across NBC, Peacock, and USA Network.
First-Round Matchups
Minnesota enters the postseason as the No. 1 seed for the second straight postseason, led by rookie Olivia Miles as the franchise pursues its first title since 2017. They meet a New York Liberty squad dealing with injuries as Breanna Stewart attempts to guide the team past a first-round exit following their 2024 championship run.
The Golden State Valkyries captured the No. 2 seed in their second season, powered by Veronica Burton and Gabby Williams after finishing their 2025 inaugural campaign as the eighth seed. Golden State faces the No. 7 Dallas Wings and Paige Bueckers. Dallas returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 after compiling a franchise-record 27 wins following a 10-victory season.
Defending champions Las Vegas hold the No. 3 seed, putting their repeat bid against the No. 6 Indiana Fever. The Fever feature the backcourt duo of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell in a rematch of last year’s semifinals, which Las Vegas won in an overtime Game 5. A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray lead the Aces as they target their fourth championship in five years.
The Atlanta Dream secured the No. 4 seed behind Angel Reese and will square off against the No. 5 Washington Mystics. Washington returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 after posting a franchise-best 28 wins, led by All-Stars Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen alongside Most Improved Player candidate Shakira Austin.
First-Round Game Schedule
- September 27: New York Liberty 91, Minnesota Lynx 75 (Liberty lead 1-0)
- September 27: Las Vegas Aces 102, Indiana Fever 85 (Aces lead 1-0)
- September 27: Atlanta Dream 92, Washington Mystics 77 (Dream lead 1-0)
- September 27: Golden State Valkyries 104, Dallas Wings 80 (Valkyries lead 1-0)
- September 29: Las Vegas Aces at Indiana Fever (Game 2)
- September 29: Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty (Game 2)
- September 30: Atlanta Dream at Washington Mystics (Game 2)
- September 30: Golden State Valkyries at Dallas Wings (Game 2)
Worth a look