How to Watch the WNBA with DISH
The WNBA exploded in popularity in 2024. According to ESPN, regular season viewership was up 170 percent year-over-year on their platforms, with the WNBA Finals surging 115 percent. With young stars like the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and rookie Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, the league’s growth shows no sign of slowing when the 2025 season gets underway on Friday, May 16. Here’s a look at the key dates in the season, along with full information on how to watch the most WNBA games with DISH. Not a DISH subscriber? Follow this link to find the best offer and subscribe to DISH today!
Where To Watch WNBA Games With DISH
WNBA broadcast rights are split between a number of programmers, some of which require a seperate subscription from DISH. Here's a complete look at how to watch the WNBA with DISH:
ESPN (Channel 140)/ ABC (Check your local guide) - ESPN and ABC will broadcast 26 combined games in the regular season (13 on each channel), including the WNBA All-Star Game on ABC. They will also have full coverage of the WNBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals, which will feature a best-of-seven format for the first time.
ION (Channel 250) - You can catch a doubleheader every Friday night on ION. With 50 total games over the regular season, you can catch the most WNBA games with ION. Keep in mind, DISH will carry only the nationally televised games, which could preempt regional or local games. For more information on WNBA coverage on ION, follow this link.
NBA TV (Channel 156) - NBA TV will have 40 regular season games, and “will keep the spotlight on the consequential race to the postseason, showcasing crucial matchups and storylines,” according to a WNBA press release.
CBS (Check your local guide)/ CBS Sports Network (Channel 158) - CBS will carry eight regular season WNBA games, including the first-ever primetime games on broadcast television (the June 7 and Aug. 9 games with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever vs. the Chicago Sky). CBS Sports Network – available on DISH with America's Top 200 and up – will carry an additional 12 games across the regular season.
Amazon Prime Video* - Amazon Prime Video will have 20 regular season WNBA games, inclduing the Championship Game of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup in-season tournament.
*Requires a separate subscription
To watch the most WNBA basketball games with DISH, subscribe to America's Top 200 with ABC, CBS, ESPN, NBA TV, ION, and CBS Sports Network. Or, follow this link for package information.
When is the WNBA All-Star Game?
The WNBA All-Star Game will take place Saturday, July 19 at 8:30pm ET from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. ABC will carry the broadcast.
Although the format for the 2025 game has yet to be announced, last year's All-Star Game featured the WNBA All-Stars taking on the USA Women’s National Team. Follow this link for more information on this year's All-Star Game, 3pt Contest, and Skills Challenge.
What Are the Other Key Dates in the WNBA Season?
The WNBA Commissioner's Cup takes place June 1-17. Similar to the NBA Cup In-Season Tournament, these are regular season games that count toward Cup play. Each team will play five games against their conference rivals. The teams with the best record in conference will face-off in the Commissioner's Cup Championship Game on July 1.
The regular season runs through Thursday, Sept. 11, followed by the WNBA Playoffs, which begin Sunday, Sept. 14. The WNBA Finals will begin in mid October, with the last possible Finals date falling on Oct. 17.
When Does the 2025 WNBA Season Start?
The 2025 WNBA season tips off on Friday, May 16 with a doubleheader on ION. First up is Paige Bueckers’ WNBA debut as the Dallas Wings host the 2024 WNBA Finalists, the Minnesota Lynx at 7:30pm ET. That's followed by the first-ever game for the newest WNBA team, the Golden State Valkyries, who are hosting the Los Angeles Sparks at 10:00pm ET.
Opening weekend continues on Saturday with a nationally-televised doubleheader on ABC. First up, the New York Liberty begin their title defense in a game against the previous WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces at 1pm ET. Then Caitlin Clark begins her sophomore season as the Indiana Fever host Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky at 3pm ET.
How Many WNBA Teams are There and How Many Games Do They Play?
For the first time in 17 years, there’s a new WNBA team joining the league: the Golden State Valkyries (the Toronto Tempo are slated to join the WNBA in 2026). That means that in 2025, the WNBA is made up of 13 teams in two conferences. In alphabetical order, the Eastern Conference is comprised of the Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, and Washington Mystics. The Western Conference includes the Dallas Wings, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm.
Each team will play 44 games in the regular season, 22 at home and 22 on the road.
What Team Does Caitlin Clark Play For?
Caitlin Clark plays for the Indiana Fever. In her rookie season, Clark won the WNBA Rookie of the Year award, as well as earning the most All-Star Game votes, and became the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double. Along with teammate Aliyah Boston – who won the Rookie of the Year honor the year prior – Clark helped the Fever earn their first playoff berth since 2016.
What Were the WNBA Draft Results?
Less than two weeks after leading the UConn Huskies to the NCAA National Championship, Paige Bueckers was selected first overall in the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings. She was followed by 6’6” center Dominique Malonga of France, who heads to the Seattle Storm as an intriguing prospect at just 19-years-old. The Washington Mystics traded two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky to move up to No. 3, where they selected Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron. The Mystics used their second first round selection to draft Kiki Iriafen at No. 4. And with their first-ever draft pick, the Golden State Valkyries selected Lithuanian prospect Juste Jocyte at No. 5. Here’s a full look at the first round of the 2025 WNBA Draft:
Paige Bueckers (Sky)
Dominique Malonga (Storm)
Sonia Citron (Mystics)
Kiki Iriafen (Mystics)
Juste Jocyte (Valkyries)
Georgia Amoore (Mystics)
Aneesah Morrow (Sun)
Saniya Rivers (Sun)
Sarah Ashlee Barker (Sparks)
Ajsa Sivka (Sky)
Hailey Van Lith (Sky)
Aziaha James (Wings)
Does DISH Have the WNBA League Pass?
No, unfortunately, DISH does not have WNBA League Pass, if you are interested in purchasing WNBA League Pass you can visit the WNBA website.
