The 2026 WNBA preseason schedule runs from April 25 through May 3. All preseason games will be available for free via WNBA League Pass for fans who sign up for a free WNBA ID account. The schedule features 18 total exhibition games, including international showcases against the Nigeria and Japan National Teams. The number of games played by team ranges from one to three depending on the exhibition schedule, age of the franchise, and other league factors. All teams play a 44 game regular season.
How to Watch the 2026 WNBA Preseason Schedule: Free Preseason Streaming
In a major win for fans, the WNBA announced that all preseason games (April 25 – May 3) will be available to stream for FREE on the enhanced WNBA App and WNBA.com.
- WNBA ID Preview: To access the free streams, fans just need to sign up for a free WNBA ID account. No credit card or subscription is required during this preview period.
- WNBA League Pass: Every game on the schedule below will be available live and on-demand through the WNBA App (subject to local blackouts).
- Local TV: Select games, such as the Phoenix Mercury’s matchups, will also air locally on Arizona’s Family 3TV and Arizona’s Family Sports.
2026 WNBA Preseason Schedule (with Exhibition Games)
| Date | Matchup | Location | Time (ET) | TV/Stream |
| April 25 | Indiana Fever at New York Liberty | Barclays Center | 3:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 25 | Nigeria National Team at LA Sparks | Viejas Arena (San Diego) | 3:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 25 | Chicago Sky at Phoenix Mercury | Sanford Pentagon (Sioux Falls) | 4:00 PM | AZ Family 3TV / League Pass |
| April 25 | Minnesota Lynx at Washington Mystics | CareFirst Arena | 7:30 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 25 | Seattle Storm at Golden State Valkyries | Chase Center | 8:30 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 26 | Japan National Team at Las Vegas Aces | Michelob ULTRA Arena | 8:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 27 | Nigeria National Team at MN Lynx | T-Mobile Center (KC) | 8:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 28 | Chicago Sky at Washington Mystics | ESA (Washington, DC) | 7:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 29 | Connecticut Sun at Toronto Tempo | Coca-Cola Coliseum | 7:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 29 | Atlanta Dream at Chicago Sky | Wintrust Arena | 7:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 29 | Portland Fire at Seattle Storm | Climate Pledge Arena | 10:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| April 29 | Japan National Team at Phoenix Mercury | Mortgage Matchup Center | 10:00 PM | AZ Family 3TV / League Pass |
| April 30 | Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | 7:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| May 1 | Toronto Tempo at Minnesota Lynx | Target Center | 8:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| May 1 | New York Liberty at Dallas Wings | College Park Center | 8:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| May 2 | Nigeria National Team at Indiana Fever | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | 7:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| May 3 | New York Liberty at Connecticut Sun | Mohegan Sun Arena | 3:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| May 3 | Washington Mystics at Atlanta Dream | Gateway Center Arena | 3:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| May 3 | Las Vegas Aces at Dallas Wings | Moody Center (Austin) | 7:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
| May 3 | Los Angeles Sparks at Portland Fire | Moda Center | 7:00 PM | Free WNBA ID / League Pass |
Preseason Highlights: Tours & Expansion
- The Nigeria Women’s National Team Tour: D’Tigress will visit three WNBA cities (San Diego, Kansas City, and Indianapolis). This tour is a major tune-up for Nigeria’s international roster and offers fans a unique look at some of the world’s best non-WNBA talent.
- The Japan Women’s National Team Tour: The Silver Medalists from the Tokyo Olympics return to the U.S. for a two-game set against the Aces and Mercury.
- Triple Expansion Debuts: In a single week, the Valkyries (San Francisco), Tempo (Toronto), and Fire (Portland) will all play their first games. The Toronto Tempo hosts the Connecticut Sun on April 29 in what will be the first-ever WNBA game in Canada for the new franchise.
WNBA Resources & Printables
- Printable 2026 Indiana Fever Roster & Depth Chart – Track who makes the final cut for the Fever before the May 2 Nigeria game.
- 2026 Indiana Fever Schedule: Full Regular Season PDF – Get the “Big Orange” schedule for the 44-game regular season.
- 2026 WNBA Master Schedule Hub – Your central location for all 15 team schedules and TV info.
WNBA Preseason Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some WNBA teams play more preseason games than others? The disparity is typically due to international exhibition tours. In 2026, teams hosting the Nigeria or Japan National Teams play an additional game, while newer expansion franchises may play fewer games to prioritize training camp and facility logistics.
How can I watch WNBA preseason games in 2026? Every preseason game is available to stream for free through the WNBA App and WNBA.com for fans with a WNBA ID. Some matchups are also broadcast on local regional sports networks or via WNBA League Pass.
What is the significance of the Nigeria Women’s National Team tour? The three-game tour allows the reigning AfroBasket champions to compete against WNBA talent in major U.S. markets like San Diego, Kansas City, and Indianapolis, highlighting the growing global footprint of the women’s game.
Are preseason games included in a WNBA League Pass subscription? While preseason games are often provided as a free preview for WNBA ID holders, they are also archived and available on-demand for regular League Pass subscribers once the regular season begins.
How many players can a WNBA team carry during the preseason? Teams can carry up to 15 players during training camp but must trim their rosters to a maximum of 12 players by the league-mandated cut deadline in early May. You will see teams like the Fever with 16 that usually means one player is injured, suspended, or not counting against the 15. Its a quick move to cutting the number to 12.
2026 WNBA Regular Season Schedules
Here are all of the regular season schedules for the teams. Printable in PDF for you.
