The 2026 WNBA Playoffs are set to begin Sunday, September 27, as eight teams begin their pursuit of the WNBA championship.
The postseason will feature three rounds, beginning with a best-of-three first round before moving to best-of-five semifinals and ultimately the best-of-seven 2026 WNBA Finals.
Here is everything basketball fans need to know about the 2026 WNBA Playoffs schedule, bracket, format, dates and championship series.
When Do the 2026 WNBA Playoffs Start?
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs begin on Sunday, September 27.
The postseason could run through Saturday, October 31, if the WNBA Finals require a deciding Game 7.
2026 WNBA Playoffs Bracket
The eight playoff teams are matched up as follows:
- No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 New York Liberty
- No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas Wings
- No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
- No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics
The four first-round winners will advance to the WNBA semifinals.
2026 WNBA Playoffs Schedule
First Round
The opening round is a best-of-three series.
- Game 1: Sunday, September 27
- Game 2: Tuesday, September 29 or Wednesday, September 30
- Game 3, if necessary: Thursday, October 1 or Friday, October 2
The first round uses a 1-1-1 format, meaning the higher-seeded team hosts Games 1 and 3, while the lower seed hosts Game 2.
WNBA Semifinals
The semifinals are best-of-five series.
- Game 1: Sunday, October 4
- Game 2: Wednesday, October 7
- Game 3: Friday, October 9
- Game 4, if necessary: Sunday, October 11
- Game 5, if necessary: Wednesday, October 14
The semifinals use a 2-2-1 format.
2026 WNBA Finals Schedule
The 2026 WNBA Finals will begin Saturday, October 17.
The championship series is best-of-seven.
- Game 1: Saturday, October 17
- Game 2: Monday, October 19
- Game 3: Thursday, October 22
- Game 4: Saturday, October 24
- Game 5, if necessary: Monday, October 26
- Game 6, if necessary: Thursday, October 29
- Game 7, if necessary: Saturday, October 31
Game 1 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
The Finals use a 2-2-1-1-1 format, giving the higher-seeded team home-court advantage in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.
Where to Watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs
WNBA playoff games will be televised and streamed across the league’s national broadcast partners.
Opening-round coverage includes ABC, Prime Video and USA Network.
The 2026 WNBA Finals will be televised on NBC and USA Network, with streaming coverage available on Peacock.
Exact channels and start times can vary by game, so fans should check the individual matchup schedule as each series progresses.
2026 WNBA Playoffs Format
Eight teams qualify for the WNBA postseason.
The playoff structure is:
First Round: Best-of-three
Semifinals: Best-of-five
WNBA Finals: Best-of-seven
There are no first-round byes, meaning all eight playoff teams begin their postseason runs in the opening round.
When Are the 2026 WNBA Finals?
The 2026 WNBA Finals begin Saturday, October 17.
If the championship series reaches seven games, the WNBA season will conclude with Game 7 on Saturday, October 31.
2026 WNBA Playoffs Key Dates
The road to the 2026 WNBA championship begins September 27, with the first round potentially lasting through October 2. The semifinals begin October 4 and could continue through October 14.
The WNBA Finals then tip off October 17, with a potential championship-deciding Game 7 scheduled for October 31.
With eight teams remaining and every postseason series ultimately leading toward the WNBA Finals, the final month of the 2026 season will determine who takes home the league championship.