WNBA Key Dates
2026 WNBA Key Dates: Season Timeline & Major Events
2024 & 2025 (THE BUILD-UP)
May 23, 2024 | Toronto Expansion Announced
Toronto officially awarded the 14th WNBA franchise (named Toronto Tempo on Dec. 5, 2024).
September 18, 2024 | Portland Expansion Announced
Portland awarded the 15th WNBA franchise (revived the historic Portland Fire moniker on July 16, 2025).
November 23, 2025 | WNBA Draft Lottery
Determined the order of the top five picks for the 2026 draft.
MARCH 2026
Early March | International Declaration Deadline
Final deadline for international prospects to declare, typically 45 days before the draft.
March 30 | Early Entry Declaration Deadline
Standard deadline for undergraduates. (Note: Prospects still competing in the NCAA Tournament have up to 48 hours after their final game to declare. Graduates with exhausted eligibility are automatically entered).
APRIL 2026
April 3 | WNBA Expansion Draft
Toronto and Portland will build their initial rosters. Portland will pick first.
April 6 | NCAA Transfer Portal Opens
The 15-day window officially begins the day after the National Championship.
April 7–8 | Free Agency Opens
Teams can begin extending qualifying offers and placing “Core” player designations.
April 9–11 | Free Agency Negotiations
Teams can actively negotiate with free agents, though no official deals can be signed yet.
April 12–18 | Free Agency Signing Period
The moratorium lifts, allowing players to officially sign contracts and offer sheets.
April 12 | Pre-Draft Trade Deadline
Teams can trade draft picks until 5 p.m. ET.
April 13 | 2026 WNBA Draft
Scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN, live from The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.
[👉 View the Top 50 Prospects on the 2026 Big Board.]
April 19 | Training Camp Begins
The training camp window is significantly compressed this year due to the May 8 season opener.
April 26 | First Round of Roster Cuts
Teams must reduce rosters as they evaluate draft picks.
April 25 – May 4 | Preseason Games
Teams tip off exhibition play to finalize rotations.
MAY 2026
May 7 | Final Roster Cuts
Rosters must hit the 12-player limit by 5 p.m. ET, the day before the season tips off.
May 8 | OPENING NIGHT & Toronto Home Debut
The 30th anniversary season tips off a week early with a three-game slate, including the historic home debut of the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
May 9 | Portland Fire Home Debut
The expansion franchise officially returns, hosting the Chicago Sky at the Moda Center.
JUNE 2026
June 1–17 | Commissioner’s Cup Tournament
Each team plays one “Cup game” against every other conference opponent to determine the finalists.
June 30 | Commissioner’s Cup Championship
Hosted by the conference winner with the best overall winning percentage from the qualifying window.
JULY 2026
July 24–27 | WNBA All-Star Break
The league pauses for the mid-season celebration in Chicago.
July 24 | All-Star Friday Night
The 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge take place at Wintrust Arena.
July 25 | 2026 WNBA All-Star Game
Hosted by the Chicago Sky at the United Center.
AUGUST 2026
August 20 | Mid-Season Cut-Down Date
The deadline where non-guaranteed contracts typically become guaranteed for the remainder of the season.
August 21 | WNBA Trade Deadline
All trades must be finalized by 3:00 p.m. ET.
August 25 | Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline
The final day a player can be waived and signed by another team while remaining eligible for the postseason (5:00 p.m. ET).
August 31 | WNBA Break Begins
Competition pauses for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany (Sept. 4–13).
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2026
September 17 | WNBA Season Resumes
Play continues for the final stretch of the regular season.
September 24 | Regular Season Ends
The final day of the 44-game schedule.
September 27 | WNBA Playoffs Begin
The quest for the championship tips off following the regular-season finale.
October 20 | Last Possible Finals Date
The 2026 WNBA Champion will be crowned no later than this date.
* All dates are subject to change.
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