New WNBA Rumors on 2027 Season Schedule Reveal Start, End Dates for Record 50-Game Campaign

The 2027 WNBA season, which will feature 50 games for the first time in league history, is reportedly expected to begin on Thursday, May 7, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

The latest possible end date (should the WNBA Finals go a full seven games) is Saturday, Oct. 24.

The WNBA's regular season slate increased from 36 games in 2022 to 40 games in 2023 and 2024, and then 44 contests in 2025 and 2026.

Now it'll rise by six more. Per Philippou, the collective bargaining agreement allows a maximum of 50 games in 2027 and 2028, and 52 beginning in 2029.

The postseason matchups have expanded in recent years as well. Of note, the WNBA Finals is best-of-seven as of 2025, and single-elimination rounds were removed following the 2021 campaign.

The 2027 season won't feature a midseason break for international competition, à la 2024 (Summer Olympics) or 2026 (FIBA World Cup). Last season ran from May 8 to October 31, when the Golden State Valkyries — led by Gabby Williams' 30 points — ended their seven-game WNBA Finals win over the Atlanta Dream with a 68-63 victory.

The next WNBA season also won't feature any new expansion teams, but that will change in 2028, when the Cleveland Sirens begin play to round out the league with 16 teams. Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) will join within the next few years.