Next Fever Game Where to Watch: The 2026 Season and Caitlin Clark’s Return Explained

Next Fever Game Where to Watch: The 2026 Season and Caitlin Clark’s Return Explained

The energy surrounding the Indiana Fever is basically unlike anything we've seen in the history of the WNBA. If you’re hunting for the next Fever game where to watch, you aren't alone. Millions of people are currently staring at an empty schedule wondering when Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston are actually getting back on the hardwood.

Honestly, the situation is a bit complicated right now.

Because we are in early 2026, the league is currently in its typical "quiet period," but it's anything but quiet behind the scenes. Between the expansion to 15 teams with the addition of the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo, and the ongoing negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the exact tip-off times for the 2026 season are still being finalized.

When is the Next Fever Game?

You won't find a Fever game on the calendar for tonight. Or next week. The WNBA typically releases its full regular-season schedule in late winter or very early spring.

Based on how things played out last year, we expect the 2026 season to begin around mid-May 2026. If the league follows the previous pattern, the Fever would likely play their first game around May 15th or 17th.

However, there is a catch. The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) has been in intense negotiations. If a deal isn't reached, there’s a small but real chance of a lockout, which could push that May start date back. Most insiders expect a deal to get done because, let's face it, nobody wants to lose the momentum of the "Caitlin Clark effect."

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The First Chance to See Caitlin Clark in 2026

If you can't wait until May, you might actually see the Fever's superstar sooner, just not in a Fever jersey.

  • Unrivaled Basketball: This new 3-on-3 league started in January 2026. While Clark’s participation was a major "will she or won't she" saga, several of her Fever teammates and rivals are already active on TNT and truTV.
  • FIBA World Cup Qualifiers: Team USA has games scheduled in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 11–17, 2026.

If Clark is fully recovered from the nagging groin and leg injuries that cut her 2025 season short, this Puerto Rico tournament will be the first time she’s back in a competitive environment.

Next Fever Game Where to Watch: New TV Deals for 2026

This is where things get really interesting for fans. 2026 is the year the WNBA's massive new media rights deals actually kick in. The way you watched games last year is changing.

The league signed a historic 11-year deal with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon. This means "where to watch" depends entirely on what day of the week it is.

The National Broadcast Heavyweights

For the 2026 season, the Indiana Fever will likely be featured in the maximum number of national slots again. Here is the breakdown of the major players:

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  1. Disney (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2): They remain the "home" for the biggest matchups. You’ll find most weekend afternoon games on ABC and primetime clashes on ESPN.
  2. NBCUniversal (NBC, USA Network, Peacock): This is the big addition for 2026. Expect weekly primetime doubleheaders. If the Fever are playing on a Tuesday or Thursday night, there is a high probability they’ll be on USA Network or streaming live on Peacock.
  3. Amazon Prime Video: Amazon's role has expanded. They now have exclusive rights to roughly 30 regular-season games, including the Commissioner’s Cup Championship.

Local Indiana Fans: WTHR and Fever Direct

If you live in the Indianapolis area, you have it much easier. The team extended its deal with WTHR (Channel 13) and WALV.

Basically, 18 games are shown for free over-the-air. You just need a digital antenna. For the cord-cutters in the local region, Fever Direct is the team's dedicated streaming service. For about $30 a season, you can stream those local games without a cable subscription.

Important Note on Blackouts: If a game is being shown on ABC or ESPN, it usually won't be on Fever Direct or WNBA League Pass until it's over. These "national windows" are exclusive.

How WNBA League Pass Works in 2026

For fans outside of Indiana, WNBA League Pass is still the gold standard.

It’s the most affordable way to see every single out-of-market game. However, starting in 2026, Prime Video Channels is becoming a global store for League Pass. This means you can actually subscribe to League Pass through your Amazon account, keeping all your sports in one app.

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The price usually hovers around $35 for the full year, which is a steal compared to the NBA or NFL versions.

Why the 2026 Season is Different

The Fever are no longer the "scrappy young team." With back-to-back No. 1 picks in Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, plus veteran leadership from Kelsey Mitchell (assuming free agency went well), the expectations are playoffs or bust.

The league is also bigger. With the Golden State Valkyries having finished their inaugural season and Portland/Toronto joining the fray, the schedule is more crowded. The Fever will likely play 44 games this year, the most in franchise history.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans

If you want to make sure you don't miss the first tip-off, here is what you should do right now:

  • Download the WNBA App: This is where the 2026 schedule will drop first. You can set "Fever" as your favorite team to get push notifications for game times.
  • Check Your Local Listings: If you’re in Indy, make sure WTHR is in your channel lineup.
  • Verify Your Subscriptions: If you have Peacock and Amazon Prime, you're already 70% of the way there for the national games.
  • Monitor the CBA News: Keep an eye on reports from journalists like Howard Megdal or Alexa Philippou. If the CBA negotiations stall, that mid-May start date could move.

The "next Fever game where to watch" question will have a very specific answer soon. Until the schedule drops, the best bet is to gear up for a mid-May start and ensure your streaming apps are updated for the new 2026 broadcast partners.