Last updated: October 19, 2026 7:09 pm
2027 WNBA DRAFT DAY
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Mid-April 2027 | Host Venue & City TBD
Broadcast Live on ESPN & ESPN Unlimited
The next generation of superstars arrives. Headlined by generational phenom JuJu Watkins alongside high-stakes wildcards Hannah Hidalgo and 7-foot-3 international force Zhang Ziyu, the 2027 class carries franchise-altering upside. From the iconic Orange Carpet to the final pick, here is your essential guide to the W’s biggest night, featuring the full broadcast itinerary, official Draft Lottery odds and standings, and a BetMGM futures tracker.
Draft Night Itinerary
Live from the host venue, the WNBA welcomes its next class across a three-round, 45-pick television showcase. From red-carpet arrivals to late-night war room pressers, track the complete programming slate and broadcast destinations below.
| Time (ET) | Event | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 PM | Orange Carpet Arrivals Prospect fashion, live arrivals, and red-carpet interviews. | WNBA App, WNBA Social Channels, YouTube |
| 6:30 PM | WNBA Countdown Live on-site preview, team needs analysis, and green-room features. | ESPN, ESPN Unlimited |
| 7:00 PM | The 2027 WNBA Draft (Rounds 1–3) The incoming WNBA Commissioner announces all 45 selections live. | ESPN, ESPN Unlimited, ESPN Deportes |
| Following Draft | First-Round Media Availability Official post-draft press conferences with lottery picks and team executives. | WNBA App, Official Team Channels |
Times are tentative and will align with ESPN’s official spring television schedule. Check local listings for regional replay windows.
The Race for No. 1 (Final):
The WNBA Draft Lottery determines the top selections of the draft. Odds are calculated using the combined regular-season records of non-playoff teams over the past two seasons (2025 and 2026). With the 2026 WNBA regular season concluded, the standings below reflect the final records and lottery odds.
Note: Expansion franchises (Portland and Toronto) have their odds calculated based solely on their inaugural one-year record.
| Seed | Team | 25 Record | 26 Record | 2-Yr Cumulative | No. 1 Odds | Primary Need |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston Comets (Formerly CT Sun) | 11–33 | 11–33 | 22–66 (.250) | 35.0% | High-volume shot creation |
| 2 | Toronto Tempo | N/A | 11–33 | 11–33 (.250)* | 25.0% | Versatile forward playmaking |
| 3 | Washington Mystics (Via CHI Swap) | 16–28 | 28–16 | 44–44 (.500) | 16.5% | Point-of-attack perimeter defense |
| 4 | Seattle Storm | 23–21 | 8–36 | 31–57 (.352) | 10.5% | Downhill backcourt penetration |
| 5 | Portland Fire | N/A | 17–27 | 17–27 (.386)* | 7.0% | Mobile interior presence |
| 6 | Los Angeles Sparks | 21–23 | 16–28 | 37–51 (.420) | 4.0% | Knockdown perimeter scoring |
| 7 | Phoenix Mercury | 27–17 | 16–28 | 43–45 (.489) | 2.0% | Perimeter spacing & secondary ball handling |
Key First-Round Obligations:
- * Washington will receive Chicago’s pick as part of the trade involving Ariel Atkins.
How the 2027 WNBA Draft Order is Set
First Round: Lottery Picks (1–7)
The seven non-playoff teams enter a weighted lottery for the first four picks. Lottery odds are based on the combined regular-season record from the two previous seasons (worst record gets the best odds). Expansion franchises (Portland and Toronto) have their odds calculated based solely on their inaugural one-year record. After the top four picks are drawn, the remaining three lottery teams pick in inverse order of their cumulative records.
First Round: Playoff Picks (8–15)
The eight playoff teams pick in inverse order of their most recent regular-season record. The team with the worst regular-season record among playoff teams picks at #8; the team with the best overall regular-season record picks last at #15.
Second & Third Rounds (Picks 16–45)
The lottery does not apply to later rounds. All selections across rounds two and three are made strictly in inverse order of the most recent single-season standings (the worst team picks first, the team with the best regular-season record picks last).
BetMGM Draft Market & Futures Tracker
Projected odds for the 2027 WNBA Draft. These estimates show the current favorites to be selected first overall. Official betting odds will be added here once sportsbooks release them closer to draft day.
Projected
(Any other player)
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Draft Night Need to Know:
Essential background on venue logistics, roster expansion rules, draft eligibility requirements, and franchise changes shaping the 2027 draft cycle.