The energy around women’s basketball right now is, frankly, ridiculous. If you thought last year was a fluke, the wnba season 2025 schedule just proved the league is leaning into the chaos. We aren't just looking at more games; we’re looking at a fundamental shift in how the league operates.
Honestly, the biggest shocker wasn't just the dates. It was the math.
The 44-Game Grind
For the first time in history, the league bumped the regular season to 44 games. That is a massive jump from the 40-game slate we saw previously. Why does this matter? Because depth is no longer a "nice to have"—it is a survival requirement.
The season officially tipped off on Friday, May 16, 2025.
The opening night was a statement. We saw the debut of the Golden State Valkyries, the league's 13th franchise, taking on the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center. It sold out in minutes. But the schedule wasn't just about the new kids on the block. The league packed the calendar with "destination viewing" matchups from week one.
- May 16: Valkyries vs. Sparks (The expansion era begins)
- May 17: Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky (The Clark vs. Reese rematch)
- May 17: New York Liberty vs. Las Vegas Aces (A Finals-level grudge match)
The schedule-makers clearly understood the assignment. They didn't slow-walk the rivalries. They put the biggest names on national TV (ESPN, ION, and Amazon Prime) immediately to capitalize on the momentum.
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The Valkyries Effect
Adding a 13th team didn't just add a few games to the calendar; it broke the traditional scheduling rhythm. With an odd number of teams, there's always someone sitting out, which created weird gaps in the wnba season 2025 schedule.
The Valkyries didn't just show up to participate, either. They finished their inaugural season with a 23-18 record, the best ever for an expansion team. Their schedule was grueling—lots of West Coast travel and a high concentration of games in June during the Commissioner’s Cup.
Speaking of the Cup, that changed too.
That Mid-Season Tournament Twist
The Commissioner’s Cup in 2025 took over the first half of June. From June 1 to June 17, every single game played was a "Cup game." It sort enough acted like a season within a season.
The championship game happened on July 1, 2025.
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The Indiana Fever actually took that one home, beating the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 at the Target Center. Natasha Howard walked away with the MVP. It’s funny because, early in the season, people were complaining that the Cup games felt "forced," but by the time the final rolled around, the prize money (roughly $500,000 for the winning team) clearly had the players locked in.
All-Star Weekend in Indy
The mid-season break was anchored by the All-Star Game on July 19, 2025. Indianapolis hosted it at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
If you tried to get tickets, you know the pain. They sold out in seven hours. The format stayed as Team WNBA vs. the National Team, which served as a sort of high-level showcase before the final push for the playoffs. It’s a smart move by the league to keep the All-Star game competitive rather than just a layup line.
Why the September Finish Changed Everything
The regular season wrapped up on September 11, 2025.
Usually, the transition to the playoffs is a bit of a blur, but the wnba season 2025 schedule gave us a best-of-seven Finals for the first time. This is what fans have been begging for. No more "fluke" three-game series where one bad night ruins a season.
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The playoffs started on September 14.
By the time we got to the Finals in October, the fatigue was real. The Las Vegas Aces ended up winning their third title in four years, defeating the Phoenix Mercury in four games. A'ja Wilson was inevitable, as usual, winning the Finals MVP.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to track future seasons or still looking at how the 2025 structure impacted the league, keep these things in mind:
Watch the Travel Miles
With the expansion to the Bay Area, East Coast teams had significantly harder travel schedules in 2025. When looking at "trap games," always check if a team is on the tail end of a West Coast road trip.
The Seven-Game Finals is the New Standard
Expect the league to keep the best-of-seven format moving forward. It’s better for TV ratings and better for the integrity of the championship. It also means the season will likely always push into mid-October now.
Roster Expansion is Next
The 44-game schedule pushed the 12-player roster limit to its breaking point. Many coaches, including Cheryl Reeve and Becky Hammon, have been vocal about the need for 14-player rosters to handle the physical toll of this expanded schedule. Watch for that in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The 2025 season wasn't just another year of basketball. It was the year the WNBA officially moved into its "big league" era, with a schedule that finally reflects its massive growth.