The WNBA released its schedule for the 2025 season on Monday, marking the start of the league’s 29th season on May 16th and ending on September 11th.
The addition of the Golden State Valkyries as the first expansion team since 2008 will see all 13 teams playing 44 games each (22 home, 22 away), an increase from the 40 games played in 2024. Despite the additional games, the season’s timeline remains the same, with no need for an extended international break like last year’s Paris Olympics.
The Commissioner’s Cup, now in its fifth year, will kick off in June with Eastern and Western Conference teams competing in round-robin games to determine the conference leaders who will vie for the tournament title and a $500,000 prize on July 1st.
Additionally, the 21st annual All-Star Game is scheduled to take place at the Indiana Fever’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19th.
“We look forward to building upon the success of last season, which saw record-breaking viewership, attendance, digital consumption, and merchandise sales,” said commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a statement on Monday.
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2025 WNBA season to tip off with all teams
All 13 teams will play on opening weekend, with the Valkyries facing off against the LA Sparks in their debut game on Friday, May 16th.
Other notable season-openers include a matchup between 2024 runners-up Minnesota and Dallas, expected to feature UConn star Paige Bueckers as the 2025 No. 1 pick, and a showdown between the last two champions Las Vegas and New York on Saturday.
Indiana will also begin their season against Chicago on May 17th, with both teams introducing new head coaches. The Fever, home to the last two Rookies of the Year, will take on a strengthened Sky team on their first meeting of the season.
Fans anticipating a rematch between Liberty and Lynx from the 2024 Finals will have to wait until July 30th for their first regular-season clash, unless they meet in the Commissioner’s Cup championship on July 1st.
The WNBA’s next steps
The journey towards the first seven-game WNBA Finals series in the fall begins on May 16th, with the league addressing important tasks such as free agency signings in February, the draft in April, and filling coaching vacancies. Negotiations for a new CBA with the WNBPA are ongoing, and the broadcast schedule for 2025 games will be announced later.
The first step in the process is Friday’s expansion draft, where the Golden State team will select players from the other 12 rosters live on ESPN at 6:30 PM ET.
