If you want to know where to watch WNBA games, 2026 is the first season of the league’s new 11-year media deals, which spread games across more partners than ever. ESPN and ABC, NBC and Peacock, USA Network, Amazon Prime Video, CBS and Paramount+, ION and NBA TV all carry games, and WNBA League Pass covers many out-of-market games. The 2026 WNBA Finals are a best-of-seven series on NBC, USA Network and Peacock.
With the playoffs underway, here is the full map of the 2026 season, from the regular season to the Finals, with approximate prices at the time of writing.
The 2026 WNBA TV map
| Network / service | Regular-season games | Playoffs | Approx. streaming price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN / ABC | 30 (12 on ABC) | Two first-round series, one semifinal | ESPN Unlimited, about $31.99/mo |
| NBC / NBCSN / Peacock | 22 | One semifinal, all Finals games on Peacock | Peacock Premium, about $12.99/mo |
| USA Network | 48 | One first-round series, most Finals games | Live TV service |
| Prime Video | 30, plus the Commissioner’s Cup final | One first-round series | Amazon Prime, about $14.99/mo |
| CBS / Paramount+ | 20 | Not listed | Paramount+, about $8.99/mo |
| ION | 50 Friday night games | None | Free with an antenna |
| NBA TV | 15 | None | Live TV services |
| WNBA League Pass | Out-of-market games not on national TV | None | Check the WNBA app |
Regular-season nights
- Monday: NBCSN and Peacock, plus USA Network.
- Tuesday: ESPN.
- Wednesday: USA Network.
- Thursday: Prime Video.
- Friday: ION’s Friday night games, free over the air. Some ION games air regionally, with out-of-market viewers watching on League Pass.
- Saturday: CBS in primetime and in the afternoon, and ABC or ESPN afternoons.
- Sunday: ABC and ESPN afternoons and nights, and NBC with two primetime games and several afternoon games.
2026 playoffs and Finals
The 2026 playoffs began on September 27 with a best-of-three first round, followed by best-of-five semifinals. The Finals are best-of-seven for only the second time, and this year they belong to NBC.
| Finals game | Where it airs |
|---|---|
| Games 1 and 4 | NBC and Peacock |
| Games 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 | USA Network and Peacock |
Peacock streams every Finals game, which makes it the single app that covers the whole series. If you want the semifinals too, you will need ESPN or NBC depending on the series.
NBC’s Finals rights rotate with the other partners, so in future seasons the Finals may move to another network.
Local games and League Pass
Many teams also have local TV or streaming partners for games that are not national. For example, the Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream stream local games on Victory+, and the Portland Fire use a local broadcast partner. Check your team’s website for its local options.
WNBA League Pass in the WNBA app covers out-of-market games that are not on national TV. Nationally televised games are not available live on League Pass. It also offers single-team and single-game options, so you can pay only for what you watch.
Before buying League Pass, compare it with the national partners your team appears on most. A fan whose team is often on ION, CBS or ABC may get most games free with an antenna, while a fan whose team is often on Monday or Wednesday nights will need NBCSN, Peacock or USA Network.
What changed in 2026
This is the first year of the new media deals, so even longtime fans may need to relearn where games are.
- More partners. NBC, Peacock and USA Network joined ESPN, ABC, CBS, ION, Prime Video and NBA TV, and the regular-season schedule is now spread across all of them.
- Two new teams. The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo joined, bringing the league to 15 teams, each with its own local broadcast arrangements.
- CBS Sports Network is out. CBS games now air on the CBS broadcast network and stream on Paramount+.
- A longer Finals. The Finals are best-of-seven, and the first one under the new deals is on NBC, USA Network and Peacock.
- ESPN app access. ESPN and ABC games stream in the ESPN app for ESPN Unlimited subscribers.
Where the WNBA airs in Canada
In Canada, Bell Media (TSN and CTV) carries most Toronto Tempo games and major WNBA events, and Prime Video’s games are also available because Amazon’s deal is global.
Putting it together
The ESPN-heavy part of the schedule is the most expensive to add, so our guide to the cheapest way to watch ESPN may help. If your TV lacks good apps, see our guide to the best streaming device in 2026, and an antenna gets you ION, ABC, CBS and NBC for free, as explained in our guide to the best TV antenna for local channels.
Some fans look at IPTV subscriptions as well. IPTV is a legal technology, but only licensed services can legally carry WNBA games, so check what any provider is authorized to show in your area.
Which setup fits you?
- Budget fan: an antenna for ION Fridays and the ABC, CBS and NBC games.
- Finals-only fan: Peacock Premium for every Finals game.
- Every-game fan: a live TV service with ESPN and USA Network, plus Prime Video, Peacock and League Pass.
FAQ
What channel is the WNBA on?
There is no single channel. ESPN, ABC, NBC, USA Network, CBS, ION and NBA TV all carry games, and Peacock, Prime Video and Paramount+ stream them. ION’s Friday night games are free with an antenna.
Where can I watch the 2026 WNBA Finals?
Games 1 and 4 air on NBC, and the other games air on USA Network. Peacock streams every Finals game, so a Peacock Premium plan covers the whole series.
Can I watch WNBA games for free?
Yes, legally, with an antenna. ION’s 50 Friday night games and the games on ABC, CBS and NBC are free over the air in most areas. Free trials of streaming services can also help for a short stretch.
Is the WNBA on Amazon Prime?
Yes. Prime Video has 30 regular-season games, mostly on Thursday nights, plus the Commissioner’s Cup championship and a first-round playoff series. It is included with Amazon Prime.
Does WNBA League Pass show every game?
No. League Pass covers out-of-market games that are not on national TV. Nationally televised games are not available live on League Pass.
Part of our guides: USA streaming guide · NBA streaming guide
