Free Agency 2026

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The following is a press release from the Toronto Tempo:
Multi-Time WNBA All-Defensive Team Selection and 2025 All-Star Signs with Toronto 
TORONTO (April 11, 2026) – Today, the Toronto Tempo announced the team has signed guard Brittney Sykes to a multi-year contract. 
A 2025 WNBA All-Star and one of the league’s most accomplished two-way guards, Sykes brings elite defensive pedigree, postseason experience, and veteran leadership to the Tempo. Originally selected seventh overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft out of Syracuse University, Sykes enters her ninth WNBA season as one of the most respected perimeter defenders in the league.  
“Brittney is an elite competitor who impacts winning on both ends of the floor,” said Monica Wright Rogers, General Manager of the Toronto Tempo. “Her defensive versatility, toughness, and leadership set a standard, and adding a player of her caliber and All-Star experience is a significant step as we continue to build our roster.” 
Sykes owns career averages of 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game and is widely recognized for taking on the league’s toughest defensive assignments. During the most recent season, she averaged 14.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, earning 2025 WNBA All-Star honours.  
Defensively, Sykes is a WNBA All-Defensive First Team selection (2021) and has earned All-Defensive Second Team honours in 2020 and 2022, making her a multi-time All-Defensive Team selection. She was also named to the WNBA All-Star Rookie Team in 2017, underscoring her consistent impact throughout her professional career. 
Known for her physical on-ball defense, competitive edge, and ability to guard multiple positions, Sykes adds immediately to the Tempo backcourt on both ends of the floor. 
“I’m excited to join the Toronto Tempo and to be part of what’s being built,” said Sykes. “The vision, the leadership, and the opportunity here really stood out, and I’m ready to get to work.” 
The signing of Sykes marks a major addition for the Tempo as the organization continues to assemble a roster centered on defensive intensity, versatility, and championship habits.  
About Toronto Tempo 
In May 2024, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced its expansion into Canada by awarding Toronto an expansion team, the league’s first outside the United States. The new team, owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures, will begin play in the 2026 season as the WNBA’s 14th franchise. Sephora Canada and CIBC are the team’s first announced founding partners. Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures and a 30-year veteran of building championship-caliber teams, is also Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors and Chairman Emeritus of Maple Leaf Sports &amp; Entertainment, which owns the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, MLS’ Toronto FC and other professional sports franchises. Under his leadership, the Raptors won their first NBA championship in 2019.
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Toronto Tempo Sign Brittney Sykes to Multi-Year Contract

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The following is a press release from the Toronto Tempo:
Proven scorer and veteran guard adds shot-making and playmaking to Toronto roster 
TORONTO [April 11, 2026] – Today, the Toronto Tempo announced the team has signed guard Marina Mabrey to a multi-year contract. Mabrey was originally selected by Toronto as part of the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft presented by Instacart. 
A dynamic scorer and confident shot-maker with seven seasons of WNBA experience, Mabrey brings spacing, toughness, and offensive versatility to the Tempo backcourt. Selected 19th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft out of the University of Notre Dame, she has established herself as a reliable perimeter threat and competitive presence throughout her professional career.  
“Marina plays with a level of confidence and edge that stands out,” said Monica Wright Rogers, General Manager, Toronto Tempo. “She’s a player who isn’t afraid of big moments, can create offense in a variety of ways, and brings a strong competitive presence every game. Identifying her in the Expansion Draft and now officially welcoming her to Toronto is an exciting step for our organization.” 
Mabrey owns career averages of 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, and is known for her ability to stretch the floor, score off the dribble, and play with pace. During the most recent season, she averaged 12.5 points per game, while also contributing as a secondary playmaker and physical perimeter defender. 
A steady presence in the backcourt, Mabrey has built a reputation as a player who communicates on the floor and brings consistent energy on both ends.  
“I’m excited for the opportunity to be part of the Toronto Tempo and this new chapter,” said Mabrey. “Being selected in the Expansion Draft and now officially joining this group means a lot, and I’m looking forward to growing with this team and this city.” 
The signing of Mabrey represents another key step in assembling a balanced, versatile roster as the Tempo continue preparations for the upcoming season.  
About Toronto Tempo 
In May 2024, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced its expansion into Canada by awarding Toronto an expansion team, the league’s first outside the United States. The new team, owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures, will begin play in the 2026 season as the WNBA’s 14th franchise. Sephora Canada and CIBC are the team’s first announced founding partners. Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures and a 30-year veteran of building championship-caliber teams, is also Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors and Chairman Emeritus of Maple Leaf Sports &amp; Entertainment, which owns the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, MLS’ Toronto FC and other professional sports franchises. Under his leadership, the Raptors won their first NBA championship in 2019. 
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Toronto Tempo Sign Marina Mabrey to Multi-Year Contract

Editorial

The WNBA’s next two franchises, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, finally have a roster. 
Both squads participated in a two-round expansion draft on April 3, 2026, picking players from each team in the WNBA except for the Chicago Sky. The Sky, prior to the draft, traded its 17th overall pick to the Fire in exchange for the 21st overall pick, and to prevent the Fire from taking anyone from its team. 
Chicago also sent its 26th overall pick to the Tempo in exchange for Toronto not selecting anyone from its roster. 
That said, every other team was fair game for poaching. Let’s take a look at some of the key players added by both franchises, set to kick off their respective seasons in Season 30.
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<h2>Toronto Tempo roster:</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258017" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="875" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1.jpg 1080w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
A huge takeaway from this initial roster is that the Tempo wanted to take shooting and guard depth seriously. Marina Mabrey’s name obviously jumps off the page on that front, although she had a slump-year (27-percent 3PT shooting) with the Connecticut Sun in 2025. However, it’s clear the Tempo value her veteran presence and competitiveness, with Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers <a href="https://x.com/chelsealeite/status/2040162676702126322?s=20">telling reporters</a> following the expansion draft that Mabrey “&#8230;has something you can’t coach, a fierce, competitive nature. That will resonate with this city.”
Aaliyah Nye, who won a championship in her rookie season with the Las Vegas Aces last year, is another sharp-shooter that should be able to contribute immediately with head coach Sandy Brondello likely seeking to surround the teams’ bigs with as much shooting as possible. She averaged just 31.4 percent from three point range, but was coming off a season with the Alabama Crimson Tide where <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/aaliyah-nye-1.html">she shot</a> 41.8 percent from long range over four seasons. 
Other players of note from this initial roster include Nyara Sabally, a former member of Brondello’s New York Liberty team, and Julie Allemand, who had a nice bounceback season with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2025. 
Sabally has dealt with injury woes in recent years, but when she’s on the floor, she can make a huge impact on the glass. Her contributions to the Liberty’s championship run, and especially in its Finals against the Minnesota Lynx, couldn’t be ignored by Brondello or the Tempo. She averaged 5.4 points per game along with 4.5 rebounds and one block in 17 games played. 
As for Allemand, she’s a Belgian star set to gain another year with major minutes with the Tempo. Her work as a distributor for Los Angeles clearly didn’t go unnoticed by the Tempo’s scouting team, and she’s a great compliment to players like Sabally, Mabrey, and María Conde (assuming the Spanish forward comes over to the WNBA this season). With the Sparks in 2025, she averaged just 5.4 points per game but a solid five assists in 28.3 minutes per game. 
One thing that could really tie this initial roster together is the team honing in on a big in this year’s college draft. The Tempo are selecting 6th overall in this year’s draft, while the Fire select 7th since they picked first in the expansion draft. That could give them a shot at a player like Lauren Betts, who would be an unbelievably great fit with a roster chock-full of great facilitators. 
A worthwhile nugget to mention regarding this initial roster: according to the Tempo’s press release on these selections, the team has taken seven international players, which the <a href="https://tempo.wnba.com/news/toronto-tempo-select-11-players-in-2026-tempo-expansion-draft">team says</a>, “brings a blend of championship experience, international competition at the highest level, and positional versatility as the Tempo begin building their identity in the WNBA.”
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<h2>Portland Fire roster:</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258016" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST.png" alt="" width="700" height="875" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST.png 1080w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST-240x300.png 240w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST-819x1024.png 819w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST-768x960.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /> 
Bridget Carleton, the former Minnesota Lynx forward, was the Fire’s first overall pick and its selection from a list of available unrestricted free agents available in this expansion draft. Each team was allowed to select one UFA, with Mabrey being the Tempo’s pick from that pool. 
Carleton, who was an integral part of Minnesota’s offense from the three point line and as a defender in the paint, could’ve been a fitting addition to Toronto’s roster considering she’s an Ontario native. But, the veteran lands with Portland, providing immediate starting power in the Fire’s frontcourt. She averaged 6.5 points per game along with 3.6 rebounds and two assists, and shot a clean 37.3 percent from three-point range. 
A somewhat surprising name on this draft list is Carla Leite. The former Golden State Valkyries guard had become a fan-favorite in her rookie season with the squad, averaging 7.2 points per game along with two assists and 1.3 rebounds, providing a pop defensively whenever she was on the floor. Her pick-and-roll proficiency made her a huge asset to the Valkyries offense, and especially their bigs. Her not being protected by Golden State could be Portland’s gain. 
With Carleton in the fold in addition to Emily Engstler and Haley Jones, Leite could emerge as one of next season’s best floor generals if utilized correctly. 
Two underrated picks for Portland are Sarah Ashlee Barker and Maya Caldwell. Caldwell, who spent last year with the Atlanta Dream, is a solid three-point shooter and a great cutter to pair with guards like Sug Sutton and Leite who are more focused on facilitating. 
Her addition to this team brings shooting and rim pressure, taking some of that load off the shoulders of the teams’ talented bigs. She averaged 5.4 points per game in addition to 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and almost one steal in 18.5 minutes per game. 
As for Barker, and similarly to Nye with the Tempo, she has an opportunity to show off her strengths with potentially larger minutes with the Fire. The former Sparks guard got plenty of opportunities to flex her defensive skills in 2025, and she was also a decent scorer for stretches.
However, it was always going to be tough to find her a role behind Kelsey Plum and Allemand. She averaged just 3.1 points per game along with 1.9 rebounds and almost one assist, although she only averaged 14.1 minutes per game as a rookie. 
This Fire roster is emphasizing depth at the forward position, as well as guards who can bring out the best in those front court pieces. Portland general manager Vanja Černivec told reporters following the draft that the team prioritized “great teammates who will help us recruit players in free agency.” 
 
“We want to play team-oriented basketball,” she added. 
Carleton, Leite, Caldwell, and Sutton all fit that bill right off the bat. We’ll see if Černivec’s focus on team &#8211; and fan &#8211; favorites with talent to boot works as they look ahead to the college draft and a tumultuous free agency period.

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Rapid Reactions: WNBA Expansion Draft 2026

Expansion Draft

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2026 WNBA Expansion Draft presented by State Street Investment Management SPY

The WNBA’s new expansion team, the Tempo, has made one thing clear: They aren’t just Toronto’s team, they’re Canada’s team. A new era of women’s basketball across the northern border is set to tip off its inaugural season on May 8 against the Washington Mystics. And with the Tempo ushering in fresh WNBA fans, it feels ideal to remind everyone of the long line of Canadians who have hooped in the league since its early years. 
We know hockey runs through the country’s veins, but women’s pro hoops have entered the chat. Players like Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton, Laeticia Amihere, and Aaliyah Edwards are actively repping their home turf in the WNBA. But get to know the Canucks who paved the way. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Kelly Boucher (Sudbury, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257970" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257970" class="wp-image-257970" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="755" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-scaled.jpg 1695w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-199x300.jpg 199w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-678x1024.jpg 678w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-768x1160.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-1017x1536.jpg 1017w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-1356x2048.jpg 1356w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Kelly Boucher #13 of Canada cheers on the sideline during the game against France at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics</div>
In the WNBA’s inaugural season, 15 international players dotted rosters around the league, but it wasn’t until the following season in 1998 that the first Canadian suited up. Boucher signed with the Charlotte Sting after a week-long open tryout. She bested over 350 WNBA hopefuls, through what she described as “the most intense, chaotic, grueling, difficult experience.” 
Her dream of playing pro hoops close to home became a reality. In a <a href="https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/05/14/meet-kelly-boucher-the-canadian-who-broke-the-wnba-barrier/">2021 interview</a>, Boucher recalls having visa issues because it was so unheard of for Canadians to go to the States to play hoops. “They didn’t even know what category of visa to give us,” she said then.
Boucher had competed in two Olympics for Canada and a World Championship, but in her lone WNBA season, she grew accustomed to playing in front of a roaring crowd of 25,000 at the Charlotte Coliseum. Playing in Madison Square Garden, though, was her “pinch-me” moment. “That was a highlight…you walk in there, and you can just smell the history,” she reminisced. “Patrick Ewing was there, chatting with him on the side, taking pictures with people. You’re supposed to be warming up, of course…but you just look around, and I think, ‘We’re playing in Madison Square Garden.’”
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Tammy Sutton-Brown (Markham, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257971" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257971" class="wp-image-257971" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="771" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-scaled.jpg 1661w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-195x300.jpg 195w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-664x1024.jpg 664w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-768x1184.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-997x1536.jpg 997w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-1329x2048.jpg 1329w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Tammy Sutton-Brown #55 of the Charlotte Sting looking to pass the ball against the New York Liberty</div>
Twelve years, two All-Star selections, a WNBA championship — Sutton-Brown’s 388 games played are the most by a Canadian to date. 
The Markham, Ontario native decided to come to the States first to play under iconic coach C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers in 1997. As a freshman, she led the Scarlet Knights in field goal percentage and blocks. As a junior, she led them to their first-ever Final Four appearance. It was clear that her efficiency at the rim was going to translate to the league. She was then drafted as the 18th pick to the Charlotte Sting in 2001.
The six-foot-four Sutton-Brown received her first All-Star nod after averaging 11.9 points and 6 rebounds in only her second season with the Sting. She was the first Canadian to be named to an All-Star team. Once the Sting folded in 2006, she was signed as a free agent by the Indiana Fever, earning her second All-Star spot that same year. She became a key member of the Fever alongside Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas, and was the starting center for the 2012 championship team. Sutton-Brown is fifth in franchise history in total rebounds, and her<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/teams/IND/players.html"> 267 franchise blocks</a> rank behind only Catchings.
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Stacey Dales (Collingwood, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257972" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257972" class="wp-image-257972" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="762" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-scaled.jpg 1680w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-197x300.jpg 197w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-672x1024.jpg 672w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-768x1170.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-1008x1536.jpg 1008w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-1344x2048.jpg 1344w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Stacey Dales-Schuman #21 of the Washington Mystics looks to pass during the game against the Indiana Fever</div>
The six-foot sharpshooter is the highest Canadian to be drafted to the WNBA at third overall in 2002—just behind Sue Bird and Swin Cash. Dales was coming off a stellar college career. She had two All-American seasons at Oklahoma and was a two-time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. In her senior season, her 17 points per-game led the Sooners to their one and only National Championship game. 
In Dales’ rookie season with the Washington Mystics, she made an immediate impact, starting 28 of 31 games. She was second on the team in scoring (9.8 ppg) and even earned an All-Star spot. She played five seasons in the league and officially retired in 2007 after two seasons with the Chicago Sky. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Natalie Achonwa (Guelph, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257973" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257973" class="wp-image-257973" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="750" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-scaled.jpg 1707w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Natalie Achonwa of Canada shoots during the 2022 FIBA Women&#8217;s Basketball World Cup Group B match between Australia and Canada</div>
Before dominating the paint in the WNBA, Achonwa made history in college and on the world stage. At 16, she became the youngest player ever to play for the Canadian national team in 2009. Then, she was the first international player to suit up for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish; in her tenure there from 2010 to 2014, she made four Final Fours and three title games. 
In 2014, Achonwa was drafted ninth overall by the Indiana Fever and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team. The six-foot-three power forward played 8 total seasons with both the Fever and Minnesota Lynx.
Achonwa appeared in her fourth Olympic Games for Team Canada in 2024, the most by a Canadian basketball player ever.  
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Kayla Alexander (Milton, ON) </h2>
<div id="attachment_257975" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257975" class="wp-image-257975" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="753" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-scaled.jpg 1700w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-199x300.jpg 199w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-680x1024.jpg 680w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-768x1156.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-1020x1536.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-1360x2048.jpg 1360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Kayla Alexander #40 of the San Antonio Stars attempts a free throw against the Phoenix Mercury</div>
When the San Antonio Silver Stars drafted Alexander with their 8th pick in 2013, they knew they were getting an athletic big who was a force at the rim on both ends of the court. Alexander hailed from Syracuse University and completed her collegiate career as one of the best ever to don the Orange. When she left, she was the all-time leader in points, blocks, field goals, free throws made, free throws attempted, and games played.
She played five of her eight seasons in San Antonio, with stops in Indiana, Chicago, and Minnesota.  Even after back-to-back knee surgeries in 2018 and 2019, she didn’t give up on her WNBA or Olympic dreams. “I feel like sports are a great setup for life,” she <a href="https://www.syracuse.com/orangewomen/2021/07/perseverance-pays-off-former-syracuse-player-kayla-alexander-to-represent-canada-in-olympics.html?outputType=amp">said</a>. “Life isn’t perfect. Things aren’t always going to go according to your plan, but you have to find the ways to persevere and push through and find the positive in everything, or try to.” She went on to compete for Team Canada at the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games. 
Jordan Robinson is a freelance journalist, author, host, analyst, and content creator based in Los Angeles, CA and writes columns on <a href="http://wnba.com/">WNBA.com</a> throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.

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Before Toronto, These Canadians Made Their Mark on the WNBA

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Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo Select 22 Players in WNBA Expansion Draft 2026

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Below are answers to some of the main questions regarding the WNBA Expansion Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management and SPY. 

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What is an Expansion Draft?  
An Expansion Draft is a process used by professional sports leagues to allow a new team to build its roster by selecting players from existing teams. In this case, the WNBA’s 14th and 15th  franchises, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, which will debut in the 2026 season, will be able to select a player from a designated pool of unprotected players from each of the current 13 WNBA teams. 
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When will the WNBA Expansion Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management and SPY occur? 
The Expansion Draft is scheduled for April 3, at 3:30pm ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. 
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Which players will be available in the Expansion Draft?  
Each of the existing 13 WNBA teams has submitted a Roster List that includes every player they have rights to, covering active, suspended, draft list/reserved, core, and retired lists. Each team can protect up to five players on this Roster List who will not be available for selection. All other players on the team’s Roster List who are not protected will be made available for selection in the Expansion Draft. 
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How many players can the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select? 
The Expansion Draft will consist of two rounds, and each round will consist of up to twelve selections, up to six selections by Portland and up to six selections by Toronto. Once Portland or Toronto have selected an unprotected player from a team’s Roster List in the first round, neither Portland nor Toronto may select an unprotected player from that same team until the second round, at which point either may select from such team. No team may have more than two unprotected players selected in the Expansion Draft: up to one in each round. 
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Can Toronto and Portland select a player from a team’s Roster List who will be an unrestricted free agent entering 2026?  
Toronto and Portland may each select one player in the Expansion Draft who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent entering the 2026 season.  
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What about former players? 
Each team’s submitted Roster List for the Expansion Draft only includes players on the team’s active, suspended, draft list/reserved, core, and retired lists as of the final day of the 2025 regular season.  
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 Do Toronto and Portland have to select players according to on-court position?  
There are no on-court positional requirements. Toronto and Portland can choose players regardless of position, depending on team needs and available players.  
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Do Toronto and Portland have to build their entire team through the Expansion Draft?  
No. The Expansion Draft is just the start of Toronto and Portland’s roster-building process.  
After the Expansion Draft, both teams will participate in the typical team roster-building functions, including the free agency period, and the 2026 WNBA Draft Presented by State Street Investment Management SPY, which will take place on Monday, April 13, 2026. Toronto currently holds the No. 6 overall pick, along with the seventh pick in the second round and sixth in the third round. Portland currently holds the No. 7 overall pick, along with the sixth pick in the second round and seventh in the third round.

2026-expansion-draft-faq

WNBA Expansion Draft 2026: FAQ and Things to Know

Press Release

– League’s 30th Annual Draft to be Exclusively Televised on ESPN from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. ET – 
– State Street Investment Management and SPY Join as League’s Presenting Partner 
for WNBA Draft–   
–Tickets Go on Sale for WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY on Friday, March 27 –
NEW YORK, March 26, 2026 – The WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY will be held on Monday, April 13 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the draft picks live on ESPN with exclusive coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. The draft on ESPN, along with WNBA Orange Carpet Special (ESPN2, 5:30 pm ET) and WNBA Countdown Presented by Google (ESPN, 6:30 pm ET) will also be available live on the ESPN App.
Top collegiate and international prospects will participate in person as the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY returns to New York City.
This marks the third consecutive year the draft will be a marquee live event with fans in attendance. Individual tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster on Friday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
As determined by the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery held on November 23, 2025, the Dallas Wings will select first, followed by the Minnesota Lynx (second), Seattle Storm (third), Washington Mystics (fourth), and Chicago Sky (fifth).
“We are proud to welcome State Street Investment Management and SPY as the presenting partner of the WNBA Draft as we celebrate the league’s historic 30th season,” said WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison. “Every year, the draft is a defining moment for our league and its future stars, and together with State Street Investment Management, we’re excited to create an unforgettable experience as we welcome the next generation of WNBA talent.”
The official tip-off of draft night festivities will begin when invited draft prospects arrive on the WNBA Draft Orange Carpet presented by Coach. Earlier in the day, draft prospects will visit the iconic Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony to celebrate the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY.
“We are proud to serve as presenting sponsor of the 2026 WNBA Draft,” said John Brockelman, Chief Marketing Officer of State Street Investment Management. &#8220;This event is more than a moment &#8211; it&#8217;s a beginning. And these incredible athletes serve as a powerful reminder of what&#8217;s possible when you believe in, and invest in, your future.&#8221;
On draft night, WNBA social and digital platforms – including the WNBA App and WNBA.com – will provide live updates, an interactive Draft Board, and comprehensive coverage of all draft-related events.
For more information on the WNBA and on the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY, visit WNBA.com and the WNBA App.
The WNBA’s historic 30th season will tip off on Friday, May 8 with the Connecticut Sun visiting the New York Liberty, the Washington Mystics visiting the Toronto Tempo as the first ever Canadian WNBA team, and the Seattle Storm hosting the Golden State Valkyries.
# # #
WNBA
Tipping off its historic 30th season in 2026, the WNBA continues to be one of the fastest-growing brands in sports, fueled by record-breaking momentum and unprecedented growth. Having reached a tentative agreement on a new transformational Collective Bargaining Agreement in March 2026, the league enters a bold new chapter focused on elevating the player experience, drawing increased investment, and growing women’s basketball globally. The WNBA’s dedication to societal impact is supported by the WNBA Changemakers Collective (Ally, AT&amp;T, CarMax, Deloitte, Google, and Nike), a first-of-its-kind group of purpose-driven companies working to empower players and the league, increase visibility, and drive business transformation.
About State Street Investment Management
At State Street Investment Management, we have been helping create better outcomes for institutions, financial intermediaries, and investors for nearly half a century. Starting with our early innovations in indexing and ETFs, our rigorous approach continues to be driven by market-tested expertise and a relentless commitment to those we serve. With over $5 trillion in assets managed*, clients in over 60 countries, and a global network of strategic partners, we use our scale to deliver a comprehensive and cost-effective suite of investment solutions that help investors get wherever they want to go.
*This figure is presented as of December 31, 2025 and includes ETF AUM of $1,950.80 billion USD of which approximately $173.02 billion USD in gold assets with respect to SPDR products for which State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (SSGA FD) acts solely as the marketing agent. SSGA FD and State Street Investment Management are affiliated. Please note all AUM is unaudited.
 
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ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below the ETFs net asset value. Brokerage commissions and ETF expenses will reduce returns.
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Before investing, consider the funds&#8217; investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. To obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains this and other information, call 1-866-787-2257 or visit <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.statestreet.com%2Fim&amp;esheet=54325144&amp;newsitemid=20250916954913&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.statestreet.com%2Fim&amp;index=5&amp;md5=009a7618ec2b33c6900327665ad0a669">www.statestreet.com/im</a>. Read it carefully.
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wnba-draft-2026-to-be-held-april-13

WNBA Draft 2026 Presented By State Street Investment Management SPY To Be Held on April 13

Season Preview

The stage is set for the league’s 30th season! 
Following a historic 2025 season highlighted by the Golden State Valkyries’ debut, A’ja Wilson’s KIA MVP run and the Las Vegas Aces’ third WNBA title in four years, Season 30 is set to tip off on Friday, May 8, 2026.  
With the 2026 WNBA Draft (tune in to ESPN on April 13 at 7:30 pm ET!) and the debut of two additional expansion teams on the horizon, the momentum is high. Check out some of the early storylines and key dates to look out for in the action-packed 2026 WNBA Schedule.  
<hr />
<h2>Season 30 Tips Off  </h2>
The WNBA enters its landmark 30th season with WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax on Friday, May 8, with a three-game slate. The action continues through the weekend with an additional three games on Saturday, May 9 and five games on Sunday, May 10, to kick off the 44-game regular season. 
Full weekend schedule: 
Friday, May 8 (3 games) 
<ul>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7:30 pm ET: Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7:30 pm ET: Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">10 pm ET: Golden State Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm </li>
</ul>
Saturday, May 9 (3 games) 
<ul>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">1 pm ET: Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">3:30 pm ET: Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">9 pm ET: Chicago Sky vs. Portland Fire </li>
</ul>
Sunday, May 10 (5 games) 
<ul>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">1 PM ET: Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">3 PM ET: New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7 PM ET: Las Vegas Aces vs. Los Angeles Sparks </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7 PM ET: Atlanta Dream vs. Minnesota Lynx </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">8:30 PM ET: Phoenix Mercury vs. Golden State Valkyries </li>
</ul>
Season 30 is also highlighted with a rematch of the league’s inaugural game in 1997, with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the New York Liberty on Sunday, June 21, on the anniversary of the original matchup.
<hr />
<h2>The Home Debuts: Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo </h2>
The league is expanding to a 15-team field with the highly anticipated debut of the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. Each team will make their home debut during the weekend of WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax. 
Toronto: Friday, May 8 at 7:30 pm ET vs. Washington Mystics 
Portland: Saturday, May 9 at 9 pm ET vs. Chicago Sky 
<hr />
<h2>Aces Begin Back-to-Back Campaign, Revenge for the Mercury </h2>
The 2025 WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces will begin their campaign for another back-to-back title (previously taking home the chip in 2022 and 2023) with their first home game on Saturday, May 9, hosting a 2025 WNBA Finals rematch against the Phoenix Mercury. The teams will face-off four times this season: 
Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury matchups: 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 pm ET (@ Las Vegas) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Wednesday, June 17 at 10 pm ET (@ Phoenix) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Saturday, July 11 at 4 pm ET (@ Las Vegas) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Thursday, September 24 at 10 pm ET (@ Phoenix) </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Battle of the No. 1 Picks </h2>
2023 and 2024 No. 1 overall picks Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are the Indiana Fever’s dynamic duo. Soon, the newest top selection in the 2026 WNBA Draft will join the Dallas Wings and team up with the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers. The rookie duos will match up three times, with the first game coming Saturday, May 9. 
Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever matchups: 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Saturday, May 9 at 2 pm ET (@ Dallas) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Friday, August 14 at 7:30 pm ET (@ Indiana) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Thursday, August 20 at 8 pm ET (@ Dallas) </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Commissioner&#8217;s Cup Presented by Coinbase</h2>
The sixth annual WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase in-season tournament will take place Monday, June 1 through Wednesday, June 17. The Dallas Wings will kick off the two-game slate on opening night hosting the inaugural cup champions, the Seattle Storm. Following cup play, the top teams from the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference will go head-to-head in the 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship. Who will be crowned the next Cup champion? 
<hr />
<h2 data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2026 takes Chicago<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335572071&quot;:6,&quot;335572072&quot;:1,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:6,&quot;335572080&quot;:1,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;single&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;single&quot;}"> </h2>
The W is heading back to the Windy City! AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2026 will take place Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25, hosted by the Chicago Sky.<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335572071&quot;:6,&quot;335572072&quot;:1,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:6,&quot;335572080&quot;:1,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;single&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;single&quot;}"> 
<hr />
<h2>Additional Key Dates: </h2>
Monday, August 31 – Wednesday, September 16: FIBA break 
Thursday, September 24: Last day of regular season 
Stay tuned for more updates around WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally, the 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel and WNBA Finals dates!

2026-regular-season-key-dates

2026 WNBA Schedule Release: Key Dates and What to Know 

– Toronto Tempo Makes Franchise Debut May 8; Portland Fire Opens Season in Return to WNBA May 9 – 
– May 9 Includes Defending WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces’ Finals Rematch vs. Phoenix Mercury, and Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever Hosting Paige Bueckers and Dallas Wings – 
– Los Angeles Sparks Host New York Liberty on June 21 in Rematch of WNBA’s Inaugural Game, 
on Anniversary of Original Matchup –
 
NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2026 – The WNBA today released its <a href="http://www.wnba.com/schedule">game schedule</a> for the 2026 regular season, the league’s 30th, which will begin on Friday, May 8.  The regular season will conclude on Thursday, Sept. 24, followed by the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel.
The milestone season will feature two new teams – the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo – and 44 games per team, with each team playing 22 home games and 22 road games. Highlights include a rematch of the league’s inaugural game in 1997, with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the New York Liberty on Sunday, June 21, on the anniversary of the original matchup.  In addition, the sixth annual WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase will feature a 17-day period in June when the schedule will consist entirely of Cup games.
The WNBA will unveil its complete television and streaming schedule at a later date. That schedule is expected to include over 200 of 330 games being available through the league’s national broadcast and streaming partners.
“As we prepare to tip off the WNBA’s historic 30th season, this schedule reflects both how far the league has come and the momentum that continues to drive us forward,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “From welcoming two new organizations in Toronto and Portland, to honoring our history with marquee matchups that connect the league’s first game to today’s stars, the 2026 season will celebrate the WNBA’s past, present, and future. With a record number of games, growing global reach, and unprecedented momentum, this milestone season will help define the next chapter of the WNBA.”
All 15 teams will be in action during opening weekend as part of WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax.
WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax will begin with three games on Friday, May 8, including the Tempo’s debut when it hosts the Washington Mystics at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto (7:30 p.m. ET). In other opening night games, the New York Liberty will host the Connecticut Sun (7:30 p.m. ET), and the Golden State Valkyries, who last season became the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season, will visit the Seattle Storm (10:00 p.m. ET).
The action will continue on Saturday, May 9 with a matchup of the two most recent Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year winners, as Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, who own the top pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, visit Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, champions of the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase (1:00 p.m. ET). Later, the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces will host the Phoenix Mercury in a rematch of last season’s WNBA Finals (3:30 p.m. ET). The nightcap marks the Fire’s regular-season return to the league, as Portland hosts the Chicago Sky at Moda Center (9:00 p.m. ET).
The opening weekend concludes on Sunday, May 10 with five games, highlighted by the Minnesota Lynx hosting the Atlanta Dream in a matchup of last season’s No. 1 and No. 3 playoff seeds, respectively (7:00 p.m. ET).
Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase
The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase will feature a 49-game schedule from June 1-17. Each team will play one game against every other team in its conference – a total of six games for each of the seven Eastern Conference teams and seven games for each of the eight Western Conference teams. All Cup games except the Championship will count toward regular-season win-loss records.
Eastern Conference teams will play three games each at home and on the road. Western Conference teams will play either four games at home and three on the road, or three at home and four on the road.
The title game will be played on Tuesday, June 30, featuring the Eastern and Western Conference teams with the best record in Commissioner’s Cup play and will be hosted by the conference winner that has the best winning percentage in all regular season games played from opening day through June 17, the final day of Commissioner’s Cup games.
AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2026
The 2026 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game, the 22nd All-Star Game in league history, will be played on Saturday, July 25 at United Center in Chicago. Additional All-Star activities will also include the 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge on Friday, July 24 at Wintrust Arena, home of the Chicago Sky. WNBA Live, the league’s interactive fan festival, will take place at McCormick Place.
FIBA World Cup Break
The WNBA regular season will include a roughly two-week break when numerous WNBA players are expected to represent their respective nations in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 from Sept. 4-13 in Germany.
Race for the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel
With playoff berths and seedings potentially on the line, the regular season will resume after the World Cup break on Thursday, Sept. 17 and conclude with five games on Thursday, Sept. 24.
The WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel will then tip off on Sunday, Sept. 27. The bracket-style postseason will have three rounds, beginning with a best-of-three First Round featuring the top eight teams regardless of conference. First Round winners will advance to the best-of-five Semifinals, which will be followed by the best-of-seven Finals.
Additional Schedule Highlights
<ul>
<li>Two teams that closed the 2025 regular season on significant winning streaks – Las Vegas and Atlanta – will look to continue their streaks at the start of 2026.</li>
<li>The Aces need three wins to open the season to surpass the 2001 Sparks’ WNBA record of 18 straight regular season wins. The Aces will look to build on their 16-game winning streak when they open their season by hosting Phoenix (Saturday, May 9) and then visiting Los Angeles (Sunday, May 10) and Connecticut (Wednesday, May 13).</li>
<li>The Dream, whose six straight wins are two shy of the franchise record, will tip off at Minnesota (Saturday, May 10), visit Dallas (Tuesday, May 12), and host Las Vegas (Sunday, May 17) in its first three games.</li>
<li>In addition to opening the season against one another on Saturday, May 9, the Aces and Mercury will meet three more times: Wednesday, June 17 in Phoenix, Saturday, July 11 in Las Vegas, and Thursday, Sept. 24 in Phoenix on the final day of the regular season.</li>
<li>Indiana and Minnesota, the opponents in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game last season, will clash three times. The Fever and Lynx will first meet on Sunday, Aug. 2 in Minneapolis before closing the regular season with consecutive matchups on Tuesday, Sept. 22 in Indiana and Thursday, Sept. 24 in Minnesota.</li>
<li>Indiana and Las Vegas, whose 2025 WNBA Semifinals series went to a decisive Game 5, will meet three times. The Fever will visit the Aces on Sunday, July 5 and Sunday, July 12, and host them on Thursday, Aug. 6.</li>
<li>New York, which met Las Vegas in the 2023 WNBA Finals and Minnesota in the 2024 Finals, will face those two teams a total of six times. The Liberty will host the Lynx on Friday, July 3 and the Aces on Sunday, Aug. 9. New York will visit Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 23 and Thursday, July 30, and will be in Minnesota on Saturday, July 11 and Friday, Sept. 18.</li>
<li>Six teams will host a total of 19 games at special venues that accommodate larger crowds than their normal home arenas.</li>
<li>The Tempo, which will play a majority of its home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, will host three games at the nearby Scotiabank Arena and two games each at the Bell Centre in Montreal and Rogers Arena in Vancouver.</li>
<li>The Aces will host three contests at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, including games against Phoenix (May 9), Chicago (July 3) and Indiana (July 5).</li>
<li>The Mystics will play their regular-season finale against the Sky at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Thursday, Sept. 24).</li>
<li>The Sky will face Las Vegas (Sunday, June 28) and Indiana (Saturday, Aug. 8) at United Center.</li>
<li>The Sun will take on Los Angeles (Saturday, May 30) and Dallas (Thursday, July 2) at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Conn., and the Sparks at TD Garden in Boston (Tuesday, Aug. 18).</li>
<li>The Wings will host Chicago (Sunday, July 12), Golden State (Friday, Aug. 7), and Indiana at American Airlines Arena in Dallas (Thursday, Aug. 20).</li>
<li>During the regular season, each team will play three games against every cross-conference opponent and either three or four games, including Commissioner’s Cup play, against in-conference opponents. The Eastern Conference comprises Atlanta, Chicago, Connecticut, Indiana, New York, Toronto and Washington. The Western Conference is composed of Dallas, Golden State, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Phoenix, Portland and Seattle.</li>
</ul>
Below is the game schedule for WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax.
2026 SCHEDULE: WNBA SEASON TIP-OFF PRESENTED BY CARMAX
 
<table style="width: 98.8929%" width="609">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">DAY</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">DATE</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">AWAY</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">HOME</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">LOCAL TIME</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">EASTERN TIME</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Fri.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/8/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Connecticut</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">New York</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:30 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">7:30 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Fri.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/8/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Washington</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Toronto</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:30 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">7:30 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Fri.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/8/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Golden State</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Seattle</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">10:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Sat.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/9/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Dallas</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Indiana</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">1:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">1:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Sat.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/9/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Phoenix</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Las Vegas</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">12:30 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">3:30 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Sat.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/9/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Chicago</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Portland</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">6:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">9:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Sun.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/10/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Seattle</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Connecticut</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">1:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">1:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Sun.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/10/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">New York</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Washington</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">3:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">3:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Sun.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/10/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Las Vegas</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Los Angeles</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">3:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">6:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Sun.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/10/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Atlanta</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Minnesota</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">6:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Sun.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/10/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Phoenix</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Golden State</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">5:30 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">8:30 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Tue.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/12/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Atlanta</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Dallas</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">8:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Tue.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/12/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Minnesota</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Phoenix</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">10:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Tue.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/12/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">New York</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Portland</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">10:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Wed.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/13/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Seattle</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Toronto</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Wed.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/13/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Las Vegas</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Connecticut</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">8:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">8:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Wed.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/13/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Chicago</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Golden State</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">10:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Wed.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/13/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Indiana</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Los Angeles</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">10:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Thu.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/14/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Minnesota</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Dallas</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">8:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Thu.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/14/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">New York</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Portland</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">10:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Fri.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/15/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Las Vegas</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Connecticut</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:30 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">7:30 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Fri.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/15/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Washington</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Indiana</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:30 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">7:30 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Fri.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/15/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Toronto</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Los Angeles</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">10:00 PM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10.5195%" width="47">Fri.</td>
<td style="width: 15.9417%" width="77">5/15/26</td>
<td style="width: 17.3701%" width="127">Chicago</td>
<td style="width: 18.6658%" width="127">Phoenix</td>
<td style="width: 19.1475%" width="116">7:00 PM</td>
<td style="width: 54.9728%" width="116">10:00 PM</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
 
# # #

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