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New York may seem poised to do it again. To have Breanna Stewart sing along to “Empire State of Mind” on the Canyon of Heroes in Lower Manhattan again. For Big Ellie to somehow do an even bigger one. To repeat as champions.
But the Aces will have something to say. A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray will absolutely be heard from. Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride, proven to be unrivaled in their offensive and defensive abilities, will also make sure the Lynx have a word after last year’s ending. Caitlin Clark, following a record-breaking rookie campaign, has some new faces alongside her who aren’t afraid to speak up in the championship conversation, too.
And don’t sleep on Seattle.
The WNBA unveiled its 2025 schedule this week, comprised of over 200 games. With the addition of the Golden State Valkyries, each team will play 44 games, up from 40. Fans can now circle the must-watch games. And they may run out of ink.
The W’s 29th regular season tips off Friday, May 16 and will conclude September 11, undaunted by an Olympic Break this year. The Commissioner Cup presented by Coinbase and WNBA All-Star will reclaim their usual places in the calendar.
Here’s a glimpse of what fans can expect:
Rehashed Rivalries
Some matchups just never get old, and 2025 will see plenty of familiar foes battling it out once again.
Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty
Matchups – May 17, July 8, August 13
The Aces entered 2024 looking to three-peat until the Liberty changed their trajectory. New York beat them 3-1 in the regular season and the 2024 semi-finals, avenging their 2023 Finals loss and clearing the path to their first franchise championship. This marquee match-up features three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, and 2021 MVP and 2024 Finals MVP Jonquel Jones. The duel also welcomed championship-caliber stars in Natasha Cloud joining the Liberty and six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd joining the Las Vegas Aces.
Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever
Matchups – June 7, July 27, August 9, September 5
Lucky for us, the collegiate rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese–two of the biggest stars in basketball–remained thrilling on the pro level. Three of the four games between Clark’s Fever and Reese’s Sky were decided by a combined 10 points. Popcorn-worthy basketball. Clark’s only challenge to her Rookie of the Year honor was double-double machine Angel Reese, who led the league in rebounding. The Fever picked up veteran All-Stars DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard. The Sky reunited with Liberty champion Courtney Vandersloot, who brought Chicago a title in 2021, and added Washington’s recent leading scorer, Ariel Atkins.
New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx
Matchups – July 30, August 10, August 16, August 19
The Liberty and Lynx gave us the most-watched WNBA Finals in 25 years. Both teams are returning all their starters. Collier, the reigning DPOY, and the Lynx are looking for vengeance after an epic and heartbreaking five-game series against the Liberty. But revenge will be tough to accomplish with clutch Sabrina Ionescu paired up with defensive specialist Cloud in the backcourt.
Blockbuster Moves
The 2025 offseason featured seismic shifts in player movement and created some can’t-miss showdowns.
Los Angeles Sparks at Las Vegas Aces – Friday, May 30, 10pm ET on ION
Remaining Matchups – June 11, July 29, September 11th
Aces’ fan favorite Kelsey Plum, who won two titles with the Aces, is now in LA after a three-team trade sending Seattle’s Loyd to Vegas. Plum, alongside another Ace-turned-Spark in Dearica Hamby, leads what could be an explosive offense — with Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell — in an emotional return to Michelob Ultra Arena.
Phoenix Mercury at Indiana Fever – Wednesday, July 30th, 7pm ET on ESPN3
Remaining Matchups – August 7, September 2
Fiancés face off when Phoenix visits Indiana. Triple-double queen Alyssa Thomas leads the Mercury against the Fever and her spouse-to-be DeWanna Bonner. The couple led Connecticut to the 2022 WNBA Finals together. The last time Bonner and Thomas played against each other was during the 2024 All-Star Game, where Bonner and Team WNBA defeated Thomas and Team USA. Be prepared for extra spiciness in this one.
Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm – Sunday, May 25, 6pm ET on League Pass
Remaining Matchups – June 1, June 2, August 8
A lackluster season by the stacked Storm led to Loyd, the 2023 Scoring Champ and three-time All-WNBA guard, asking to be traded after 10 years and two championships in Seattle. You just know Loyd will want to cook her old team. But you also know her former teammate and now rival Skylar Diggins-Smith, one of the most competitive guards in the league, will want anything but.
New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury – Friday, June 27th, 10pm ET on ION
Remaining Matchups – June 19, July 25, August 30
Cloud was only with Phoenix for one season before getting traded to the Liberty, but her expectation was to retire a Mercury. She even helped recruit Dallas star Satou Sabally to the Valley — only to be part of the trade to get Sabally. The Mercury are entering a new era. Diana Taurasi retired and Brittney Griner signed with Atlanta. Sabally, Thomas and Kahleah Copper lead the revolution in Phoenix.
First Looks
The 2025 season also offers fans a chance to witness players and teams making fresh starts.
Minnesota Lynx at Dallas Wings – Sunday, Friday, May 16th, 7:30pm ET
Dallas’ No. 1 overall pick will presumably make her pro debut in Minnesota. The last time the Lynx faced the top pick, they let Clark score 25 points. This will also be a glimpse at lockdown defender DiJonai Carrington and All-Star MVP Arike Ogunbowale together in Dallas’ backcourt.
Los Angeles Sparks at Golden State Valkyries – Friday, May 16th, 10pm ET on ION
The Valkyries punctuate Opening Night in a hype debut of the league’s first expansion team in 17 years. Golden State — led by Tiffany Hayes, the 2024 Sixth Woman of the Year, and No. 1 expansion pick Kate Martin — take on a Sparks squad anchored by the 2024 2nd overall pick, Cameron Brink. Brink was in top consideration for Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year before her ACL tear, being the league’s second-best shotblocker.
Connecticut Sun at Atlanta Dream – Sunday, May 25th, 3pm ET on League Pass
Watch out for the big girls. Catch some of the W’s best posts in their new uniforms with 12-year Phoenix veteran Griner and eight-year Connecticut anchor Brionna Jones suiting up for the Dream against Tina Charles and the Sun. Jones will face her former team, while nine-time All-WNBA Charles rejoins the team that drafted her 17 seasons ago.
This is just a taste of what the WNBA season will offer. With rivalries reigniting, new faces in new places (including seven new head coaches across the league), and increased national broadcast visibility, the 2025 WNBA season is set to be as unprecedented as it is entertaining. Get to circling, WNBA fans–you won’t want to miss a second of the action!
WNBA reporter Zena Keita writes columns on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.
