2026 WNBA Playoff Schedule Revealed with Dates, Times, TV Info Amid Bracket Race

The WNBA confirmed Wednesday the full schedule for the 2026 playoffs.

Each of the four first-round series will tip off on Sept. 27. The semifinals will get underway on Oct. 4. And the Finals will start 13 days later and potentially run through Oct. 31:

The Minnesota Lynx (-120) are the betting favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook to lift the title. They're followed by the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces (+650) and then the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream (both +800).

Las Vegas still has the best player on the planet, though. A'ja Wilson is likely headed toward her fifth MVP. She's averaging 26.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. The eight-time All-Star will be well rested, too, after withdrawing from the United States' roster for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

Lynx rookie Olivia Miles didn't make the trip to Germany, either, after being omitted from the squad. Miles is the single biggest reason Minnesota owns the WNBA's best record (31-9) despite back-to-back MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier missing most of the season. The No. 1 overall pick was an All-Star and should earn first-team All-WNBA honors.

This could be when the Lynx finally get back over the top after losing to the New York Liberty in the 2024 Finals and watching Collier's ankle trouble doom their 2025 title bid.

The eight playoff teams are already secured, but there could be plenty of movement in the seedings. The Lynx are up just two games on the second-place Golden Valkyries, and two games separate the Atlanta Dream in fourth from the Dallas Wings in eighth.