The 2026 WNBA playoffs tip off the week of September 27 with an eight-team bracket. The first round is best-of-three, the semifinals best-of-five, and the WNBA Finals a best-of-seven that opens Saturday, October 17. Here is the full bracket, the seeded field, and a free printable to fill in as the series play out.
2026 WNBA Playoff Bracket
Seeds and First-Round Matchups
All eight playoff teams are set as the regular season closes. The final seeding locks after the last regular-season games on September 24, so the No. 4 and No. 5 order can still flip. The top seed carries home-court advantage through each round.
| Matchup | Higher Seed | Lower Seed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 vs 8 | Minnesota Lynx | Dallas Wings |
| 2 vs 7 | Golden State Valkyries | Washington Mystics |
| 3 vs 6 | Las Vegas Aces | New York Liberty |
| 4 vs 5 | Atlanta Dream | Indiana Fever |
Playoff Format: Bo3, Bo5, Bo7
The first round is a best-of-three (higher seed hosts Games 1 and 3). The semifinals expand to a best-of-five, and the WNBA Finals are a best-of-seven for the second year, with Game 1 on Saturday, October 17. The higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 of the Finals.
More WNBA Resources
When do the 2026 WNBA playoffs start?
The week of September 27, 2026, right after the regular season ends September 24. The Finals begin Saturday, October 17.
How does the WNBA playoff format work?
Eight teams, single-elimination by series: best-of-three first round, best-of-five semifinals, and a best-of-seven Finals. Seeding is by regular-season record, and the higher seed always has home-court advantage.
