If you’re waiting for the 2025 WNBA season to kick off, you’re basically looking at a league that has completely transformed itself over the last few months. Honestly, the days of the WNBA being a "summer sprint" are long gone. We are entering a new era where the schedule is heavier, the stakes are higher, and there’s an actual expansion team in the mix.
The 2025 WNBA regular season officially begins on Friday, May 16.
But don’t just circle that date and walk away. There is a lot of nuance to how this season is structured compared to the Caitlin Clark rookie explosion we saw in 2024. From a record-breaking number of games to a total overhaul of the Finals format, the 2025 calendar looks very different from what you’ve seen in the past.
When Does WNBA Start 2025? (The Hard Dates)
The tip-off on May 16 isn't just a soft opening. The league is leaning into "WNBA Tip-Off 2025" with a triple-header that includes the debut of the Golden State Valkyries. If you haven't been keeping up, the Valkyries are the league's 13th franchise, playing out of the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Here is how that opening weekend actually shakes out:
- Friday, May 16: The Valkyries host the Los Angeles Sparks (10:00 PM ET). Before that, the Minnesota Lynx visit the Dallas Wings and the Atlanta Dream take on the Washington Mystics.
- Saturday, May 17: A heavy-hitter matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty (1:00 PM ET on ABC). Plus, the Indiana Fever head to Chicago to face the Sky.
- Sunday, May 18: The Connecticut Sun finally get their turn at home against the Mystics.
Basically, every single team is in action within the first 48 hours. It’s a sprint from the jump.
Why the 2025 Schedule Is Actually "Historic"
Most people think the WNBA season is just 40 games. Not anymore. 2025 is the year the league bumps the regular season up to 44 games per team. That is a record high.
Why does this matter? Well, for one, it means more inventory for the new media deals with ESPN, Amazon, and ION. For the players, it’s a double-edged sword. More games mean more revenue and higher potential for salary growth—something being heavily debated in the current CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) talks—but it also means less recovery time.
Then you have the Commissioner’s Cup. In 2025, this isn't just a random mid-season tournament. It’s a 17-day window from June 1 to June 17 where the schedule consists entirely of Cup games. The championship for that $500,000 prize pool is set for July 1.
The Expansion Factor: Golden State Valkyries
You’ve probably heard people talking about the Valkyries, but the logistics are kinda wild. They are the first expansion team since 2008. They aren't just here to fill a slot; they've already clinched a following that rivals some of the legacy teams.
The league had to adjust the entire "matrix" of the schedule to fit a 13th team. Instead of an even number of teams where everyone can play on the same night, we now have more staggered starts and "bye weeks" for certain squads. If you’re a fan of the Golden State Warriors, you’re basically seeing the same infrastructure applied to the WNBA, which is why their season opener against the Sparks is one of the most anticipated games of the year.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
- April 14: The 2025 WNBA Draft. This is where names like Paige Bueckers will likely find their professional homes.
- April 27: Training camps officially open.
- May 2: Preseason games begin (it’s a short window, only about 10 days).
- July 19: The WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis. This is the first time Indy has hosted the showcase.
- September 11: The regular season ends.
- September 14: The Playoffs begin.
New Playoff Format: Seven Games for the Finals
This is the part most fans missed in the fine print. Starting in 2025, the WNBA Finals are no longer a best-of-five series. We are moving to a best-of-seven format.
This is huge. It brings the WNBA in line with the NBA and MLB. It prevents a "fluke" championship and really tests the depth of a roster. Also, the first round of the playoffs is changing to a 1-1-1 structure. In the past, the higher seed hosted the first two games. Now, they'll host Game 1 and Game 3, while the lower seed gets Game 2 at home. It’s a much fairer shake for the underdog.
✨ Don't miss: Memes of Tom Brady: Why the GOAT Is Actually the King of the Internet
The CBA Elephant in the Room
Now, here is the "kinda-sorta" catch. As of January 2026, the league and the Players Association (WNBPA) are in a bit of a stalemate over the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The old deal officially expired, and they are currently in a "status quo" period.
What does that mean for the May 16 start date?
Technically, the games are scheduled. The tickets are being sold. But behind the scenes, players like Breanna Stewart and Chelsea Gray are pushing for a model that reflects the league’s massive revenue growth. There’s talk about 70% net revenue sharing and minimum salaries jumping from $67,000 to over $250,000. While a work stoppage is unlikely because nobody wants to kill the momentum, the "business of the W" is definitely casting a shadow over the preseason.
How to Watch the 2025 Season
If you're trying to figure out where the games are actually playing, it's a bit of a patchwork quilt.
- ABC/ESPN/ESPN2: Still the home for the "big" weekend games and the playoffs.
- ION: The Friday night double-headers are back. This has been a massive hit for casual fans.
- Amazon Prime Video: They have a dedicated slate of games, particularly on Thursdays.
- CBS/CBSSN: They handle a chunk of the mid-week games.
If you’re a die-hard, WNBA League Pass is still the best $35 you’ll spend, though the blackout rules for local games are still a massive pain in the neck.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to follow the 2025 season, don't wait until May to get your house in order.
First, check the local schedule if you're in an expansion market like the Bay Area or a surging market like Indiana. Tickets for the Valkyries at Chase Center and the Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse are moving faster than they did in 2024.
Second, keep an eye on the April 14 Draft. The roster movement this year is going to be chaotic because of the expansion draft that happened in December and the free agency moratorium.
Finally, download the WNBA app now. With 44 games and a 13-team league, the standings are going to be a lot harder to track manually than they were back when there were only 10 or 12 teams. The race for the top eight playoff spots starts on day one, and with the new best-of-seven Finals, every regular-season win for home-court advantage is actually worth its weight in gold.