How to watch 2026 WNBA playoffs: Schedule, TV channels for each first-round series

The longest WNBA campaign ever gives way to one of its most wide-open postseasons in years. With the bracket now set, it looks like all eight playoff entrants have a viable path to glory … should they escape this loaded first round.

>Stars shine bright as knockout basketball notches up the intensity. Perennial MVP A’ja Wilson leads the Las Vegas Aces in their title defense 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 thin and plots are about to thicken.

>Check out the full TV schedule below. Series are best of three, and all times are ET.

>You can watch the WNBA playoffs on Fubo (Stream Free Now).

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2026 WNBA playoffs schedule: First round

No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 New York LibertyGame 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 necessary): Thursday, Oct. 1, TBD

>This season’s top team has been the Lynx, rallying around the emergence of Miles and the return of Napheesa Collier. But the No. 1 seed is no sure thing against the No. 8 Liberty, in this rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals. Once again, New York is led by the likes of Sabrina Ionescu in the backcourt and Breanna Stewart in the paint.

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No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas WingsGame 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 necessary): Friday, Oct. 2, TBD

>Last year’s Valkyries were a charming example of what expansion teams can aspire to right away. This year’s group is a flat-out problem, ranking first in both defensive rating and made 3-pointers. Gabby Williams headlines a two-way force in violet with a tremendous home-court advantage in “Ballhalla.” No. 2 Golden State is challenged by Bueckers’ seventh-seeded Wings, who have enough offense to keep up in just about any matchup.

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No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana FeverGame 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 necessary): Thursday, Oct. 1, TBD

>The most enticing first-round pairing might be the No. 3 Aces and No. 6 Fever. This absolute banger features the W’s two biggest stars in Wilson and Clark. Vegas and Indy met in last year’s semifinals as well, in a wild series that pushed the eventual champion Aces to the brink. Clark was on ice for that one — this time around, her presence will be felt from the jump.

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No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5 Washington MysticsGame 1 at Atlanta: Sunday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. on Prime Video

>Game 2 at Washington: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m. on ESPN

>Game 3 at Atlanta (if necessary): Friday, Oct. 2, TBD

>The closest of these draws looks like the No. 4 Dream against the No. 5 Mystics. Atlanta gives Angel Reese her first minutes of playoff basketball, while setting up DeWanna Bonner for a heroic possible sendoff. Meanwhile, Washington comes in with the promising pick-and-roll duo of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.

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