The wait is over.
The WNBA on Wednesday unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 regular-season schedule.
But hold your horses: This announcement doesn’t necessarily mean the WNBA and Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association are any closer to finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement.
Those contentious negotiations remain ongoing.
So why did the WNBA decide to announce the schedule now? Or perhaps the better question is: How can it, considering the length of the season and number of games are outlined in the CBA and the previous deal, signed in January 2020, expired earlier this month?
All fair questions.
In a statement, a WNBA spokesperson said, “Releasing the 2026 schedule is a key step as we prepare for the WNBA’s 30th season and allows teams, partners, broadcasters and fans to begin the essential planning for the year ahead.”
Also, teams needed to lock in dates at their respective arenas.
A schedule being formalized also allows teams to begin the full range of logistical planning, including coordinating major announcements, selling ticket packages, booking charter flights, arranging hotels and other travel accommodations for the 22 road games.
There are so many other people, beyond players and teams, who rely on having a WNBA schedule in place, including broadcast partners, reporters, arena workers and fans.
Both the league and players’ union have made it clear they want to avoid a delayed start to the 2026 season.
And while expanding to the WNBA season is being discussed as part of the new CBA, the WNBA doesn’t plan on expanding the 2026 season beyond 44 games — the same number as in 2025 — especially considering the league had to map out an 18-day break in early September to accommodate the FIBA women’s World Cup.
