How to Watch the WNBA with DISH
2026 marks the 30th season of the WNBA, and it truly is an anniversary worth celebrating. The league’s recent surge in popularity has not only sparked the addition of two new franchises this season – the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo – but after years of subpar pay relative to other professional sports, star WNBA players are becoming newly minted millionaires under the new CBA.
Needless to say, the vibes are excellent as the league heads into the 2026 season, which tips off Friday, May 8 with a doubleheader on ION. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the 2026 WNBA season with DISH. Not a DISH subscriber? Follow this link to find the best offer and subscribe to DISH today!
How To Watch WNBA Games With DISH
With the new CBA, the broadcast rights for the WNBA have changed, with seven primary partners, including new agreements with NBC and USA Network. 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 30 combined games in the regular season (17 on ESPN and 13 on ABC)
Major events: The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will air on ABC, while ESPN will have the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest. In the WNBA Playoffs, these networks will two first-round series and one semifinal series.
NBC (Check your local guide) - The league’s new partners at NBC will air seven Sunday night games, with an additional 15 games available on the Peacock streaming service (separate subscription required).
Major events: One semifinal series of the WNBA Playoffs will air on NBC Sports, along with coverage of the WNBA Finals.
USA Network (Channel 105) - The league’s other new partner will carry 48 total games, primarily airing on Wednesday nights (28 games) and Monday nights (11 games).
Major events: USA will have coverage of the WNBA Finals, as well as one first-round playoff series.
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.
CBS (Check your local guide)/ CBS Sports Network (Channel 158) - CBS will carry eight primetime WNBA games on Saturday nights. CBS Sports Network – available on DISH with America's Top 200 and up – will carry an additional 12 games across the regular season.
NBA TV (Channel 156) - NBA TV will have 15 regular season games.
Amazon Prime Video* - Amazon Prime Video will have 30 regular season WNBA games (mostly on Thursday nights), including the Championship Game of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup in-season tournament and a first-round playoff series.
*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.
Does DISH Have the WNBA League Pass?
Yes! Available for $39.99 or two installments of $20, the WNBA League Pass brings every out-of-market game of the 2026 WNBA regular season directly into your living room. For more information on how to order WNBA League Pass with DISH, follow the link.
When is the WNBA All-Star Game?
The WNBA All-Star Game will take place Saturday, July 25 at 8:30pm ET from the United Center in Chicago. 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. 24, followed by the WNBA Playoffs, which begin Sunday, Sept. 27. The WNBA Finals are expected to begin in mid October.
When Does the 2026 WNBA Season Start?
The 2025 WNBA season tips off on Friday, May 8 with a doubleheader on ION. Fans can catch the Connecticut Sun take on the New York Liberty or catch the very first game from the WNBA’s newest team as the Toronto Tempo host the Washington Mystics (both games are at 7:30pm ET). That’s followed at 10pm ET by the Golden State Valkyries visiting the pacific northwest as Flau'jae Johnson makes her Seattle Storm debut.
Opening weekend continues on Saturday with a nationally-televised doubleheader on ABC. First up, the Dallas Wings and sophomore star Paige Bueckers will visit the Indiana Fever and WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark at 1:00 PM ET. Next up is a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Finals as the Phoenix Mercury travel to the desert to take on the defending champion Las Vegas Aces and reigning MVP A'ja Wilson at 3:30 PM ET.
How Many WNBA Teams are There and How Many Games Do They Play?
After the Golden State Valkyries joined the league last year, two more franchises will make their debut in 2026: the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. That means that in 2026, the WNBA is made up of 15 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, Toronto Tempo, and Washington Mystics. The Western Conference includes the Dallas Wings, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, Portland Fire, 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, but a series of lingering injuries limited her to just 13 games last year. However, that help the rest of the Fever – including all-star teammates Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell – discover exception chemistry, which lifted them all the way to the semifinals, where they lost to the Aces.
What Were the WNBA Draft Results?
The 2026 WNBA Draft featured 45 total picks across three rounds. Azzi Fudd was selected by the Dallas Wings with the No. 1 overall pick, where she'll join formaer UConn teammate and Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers. Other storlyines included a record six players from the NCAA Champion UCLA Bruins getting drafted, including five in the first round alone. Here's a complete look at the first round selections:
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, G, TCU.
3. Seattle Storm: Awa Fam, C, Spain.
4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA.
5. Chicago Sky: Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA.
6. Toronto Tempo: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA. This marked the first-ever draft pick for the Tempo.
7. Portland Fire: Iyana Martín Carrión, G, Spain. This marked the first-ever draft pick for the Fire.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU. In a stunning post-selection move, the Valkyries traded Johnson to the Seattle Storm in exchange for the No. 16 overall pick (TCU forward Marta Suárez) and a 2028 second-round pick.
9. Washington Mystics: Angela Dugalić, F, UCLA.
10. Indiana Fever: Raven Johnson, G, South Carolina.
11. Washington Mystics: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss.
12. Connecticut Sun: Nell Angloma, F, France.
13. Atlanta Dream: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina.
14. Seattle Storm: Taina Mair, G, Duke.
15. Connecticut Sun: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA.
