Liberty announce May 8 start to regular season as WNBA, WNBPA continue CBA talks

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NEW YORK — The Liberty are set to begin the WNBA’s 30th season on May 8 — if the league and the WNBPA are able to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid work stoppage.

The spring matchup against the Connecticut Sun would be the WNBA debut of new Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco at Barclays Center. The Friday evening matchup is the first of a 44-game WNBA schedule.

It’s still unknown how the initial 44-game schedule announced Wednesday will be impacted if CBA talks continue through the winter as spring approaches. There’s no guarantee for play to begin on May 8 or if the 44-game season will remain as currently structured.

For now, fans can hope for an eventful WNBA tipoff schedule, which features all 15 teams — including new expansion franchises Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire — during the opening weekend of play.

Here’s more on the schedule release centered around the Liberty and the rest of the WNBA:

Brondello’s return

New Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello is set to make her Barclays Center return on June 3 in both team’s first Commissioner’s Cup Game. The matchup takes place almost nine months after the Liberty decided to part ways with Brondello — the franchise’s all-time regular-season wins record-holder.

Playoff rematch

The WNBA scheduled two consecutive games between the Liberty and Phoenix Mercury on May 27 and 29. It’ll be the first time the two teams face off since last year’s first-round best-of-three playoff series, which ended with the Mercury defeating the Liberty, 2-1.

The Liberty and Mercury are set to face off for a third time on Aug. 1 in Phoenix.

Games vs. expansion teams

After Brondello and the Tempo face off against the Liberty on June 3, the new expansion squad is set for two more matchups: July 12 at Bell Centre and Sept. 20 at Coca-Cola Coliseum (Tempo’s home arena).

The July date is one of 19 total league-wide games held in special arenas to accommodate larger expected crowds.

The Liberty won’t wait long to face the Fire as New York has that expansion team scheduled for the third game of the season on May 12 at Moda Center. The Liberty are scheduled to play the Fire again on May 14 (away) and May 25 (home).

Both Portland and Toronto are currently without rosters. Details on an expansion draft will emerge following the completion of a potential CBA.

Paying homage

The Liberty’s June 21 road matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks will commemorate the league’s inaugural tip-off game in 1997.

That June 21 matchup held 30 years prior featured a 67-57 Liberty win, with New York’s Rebecca Lobo and Los Angeles’ Lisa Leslie both scoring 16 points apiece.

All-Star and FIBA break

The Liberty’s All-Star Break is scheduled to run from July 23-27.

Players voted into the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will participate on Saturday, July 25 at United Center in Chicago. The Sky’s Wintrust Arena will host the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge on Friday, July 24.

Regular-season action will pause again for roughly two weeks when numerous WNBA players are expected to represent their respective nations in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup from Sept. 4-13 in Germany.

MVP A’ja Wilson led Team USA to a gold medal in the competition back in 2022.

Other Liberty and league notes

— The longest Liberty homestand stretches from May 21 through June 6, with New York hosting seven games at Barclays Center.

— This year’s Liberty schedule includes three back-to-backs on May 24-25 (home vs. Wings, Fire), July 11-12 (road vs. Lynx, Tempo), and Sept. 20-21 (road vs. Tempo, home vs. Dream).

— New York’s 2025 regular-season schedule featured three back-to-backs on May 29-30 (home win vs. Valkyries, road win vs. Mystics), July 25-26 (home win vs. Mercury, home loss vs. Sparks) and Aug. 12-13 (road win vs. Sparks, road loss vs. Aces).

— The first WNBA Finals rematch is scheduled for May 9 between the Aces and Mercury.

— The Dallas Wings, who own the No. 1 pick of the 2026 WNBA draft, face off against the Indiana Fever on May 9.

— The regular season is set to end on Sept. 24, with postseason action beginning on the 27th.

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