Andrew Pace
The WNBA season tips off in May and runs through to October. The 2025 season will be a historic one for the league, as the teams will play 44 games—the most in the league's history. The season will also see the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries, the league's 13th franchise, and the announcement of new teams in San Francisco, Portland, and Toronto.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the 2025 WNBA draft | Monday, April 14, 2025 |
| Date of the lottery to determine the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft | Sunday, November 17, 2024 |
| Date of the first-ever 44-game regular season | Friday, May 16, 2025 |
| Date of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game | Saturday, July 19, 2025 |
| Date the regular season will conclude | Thursday, September 11, 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
The 2025 WNBA season starts on May 16
The 2025 WNBA season is set to start on May 16, marking the league's 29th season in history. This season will introduce some notable changes to the league. Firstly, the Golden State Valkyries, the first expansion team since 2008, will debut as the 13th team in the league. The regular season has also been extended to a record 44 games.
The opening night of the 2025 WNBA season will feature a three-game slate. The Atlanta Dream will face the Washington Mystics, the Minnesota Lynx will take on the Dallas Wings, and the Los Angeles Sparks will play against the Valkyries. Other notable matchups during the opening weekend include a rivalry game between 2024 Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Indiana Fever, as well as Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.
The 2025 WNBA draft was held on April 14, with the lottery determining the No. 1 overall pick taking place on November 17, 2024. The Dallas Wings currently hold the No. 1 pick for the 2025 draft. The Golden State Valkyries, as the newest expansion team, will also be assembling their roster through the expansion draft.
The 2025 WNBA season promises to build on the success of the previous season, which saw record viewership, attendance, digital consumption, and merchandise sales. The league will also be introducing a best-of-7 series for the WNBA Finals. The regular season will conclude on September 11, with the specific schedule for the playoffs yet to be announced.
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Teams will play 44 games
The 2025 WNBA season will be the first to feature a 44-game regular season. The season is set to begin on Friday, May 16, and will be the 29th season in league history. The season will feature several notable changes, including the addition of the Golden State Valkyries, the first expansion team since 2008, bringing the total number of teams to 13. The regular season has been lengthened from 40 games to a record 44 games. The increase in the number of games will provide more opportunities for teams to compete and showcase their talent, as well as offer fans more chances to show their support and follow the performances of their favourite players.
The opening night of the WNBA season will feature a three-game slate. The Atlanta Dream will face the Washington Mystics, the Minnesota Lynx will take on the Dallas Wings, and the Los Angeles Sparks will play against the Valkyries. Other notable matchups on the opening weekend include a rivalry game between 2024 Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeye's and the Indiana Fever, and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. The regular season will conclude on Thursday, September 11, with the playoffs schedule yet to be announced.
The Commissioner's Cup, the league's in-season tournament, will also return for its fifth consecutive season. All Cup games will take place between June 1 and June 17. Each team will play one game against the other teams in its conference. The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will be held on Saturday, July 19, in Indianapolis, marking the first time that the Fever will host this annual showcase.
The 2025 WNBA draft is set to take place earlier in the year, on Monday, April 14, with the lottery determining the No. 1 overall pick held on November 17, 2024. The Golden State Valkyries, as the newest expansion team, will be assembling their roster and preparing for their debut season. The introduction of the Valkyries adds a new dynamic to the league and creates excitement for fans, especially with the expansion draft, which allows the new team to select players from existing teams to form their initial roster.
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The All-Star break is in July
The WNBA season typically begins in May, with the 2025 season starting on May 16. This will be the league's 29th season, featuring a record 44 games. The regular season usually concludes in September, with the specific date varying from year to year.
The All-Star Game is an annual exhibition game that showcases the best players in the league. It is a celebration of the talent and progress of women's basketball and provides a platform for the players to display their skills and achievements. The game is typically played between two teams, each comprising a mix of star players from different teams in the league.
The All-Star break also offers a brief respite for the players and teams before the regular season resumes. It allows players to rest, recover, and recharge midway through the demanding regular season. This break is crucial for the athletes' physical and mental well-being, helping them stay fresh and focused for the remainder of the season.
The WNBA All-Star Weekend is more than just a game; it is a festival of basketball culture and community. It brings together fans, players, and stakeholders from across the league and beyond. The weekend often includes skills competitions, community events, and other activities that engage and excite the audience. The All-Star break in July is a pivotal moment in the WNBA season, offering entertainment, celebration, and a much-needed pause before the action-packed conclusion of the regular season.
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$34.38
The season ends in October
The WNBA season usually begins in May. For example, the 2025 WNBA season is set to start on May 16, featuring a three-game slate that includes the Atlanta Dream at the Washington Mystics, the Minnesota Lynx at the Dallas Wings, and the Los Angeles Sparks at the Golden State Valkyries, the league's newest team. The regular season typically lasts for several months, concluding in September. For instance, the 2025 regular season is scheduled to end on September 11.
While the specific dates vary each year, the WNBA season generally spans the late spring and summer months, with the playoffs and finals extending into the fall. The season concludes with the WNBA Finals, which determine the league champion. The finals are typically a best-of-five series, but in recent years, there has been discussion of expanding them to a best-of-seven format.
The WNBA schedule includes various notable events throughout the season, such as the All-Star Game and the Commissioner's Cup. The All-Star Game is an annual showcase that features the league's top players, usually held during the summer. The Commissioner's Cup, on the other hand, is an in-season tournament held over several days in June, where each team plays one game against the other teams in its conference.
The WNBA also conducts drafts and lotteries to determine roster selections and the order of picks for upcoming seasons. These events typically occur in the months leading up to the start of the regular season. For example, the 2025 WNBA draft took place in April, and the lottery for that draft was held in November of the previous year. These events create excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season, as they involve top college players and expansion teams entering the league.
The WNBA season ending in October allows for a comprehensive and competitive basketball season, incorporating regular-season games, special tournaments, and the playoff and finals series. The length of the season provides ample opportunity for teams to showcase their skills and build momentum, while fans are treated to several months of thrilling basketball action.
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The 2025 schedule was released in December 2024
The WNBA announced its 2025 schedule in December 2024, marking the league's 29th season and introducing several notable changes. The regular season will commence on May 16, 2025, and, for the first time, will feature 44 games. The opening night will showcase a three-game slate, including the Atlanta Dream facing the Washington Mystics, the Minnesota Lynx taking on the Dallas Wings, and the Los Angeles Sparks playing against the Golden State Valkyries—the league's newest expansion team.
The highly-anticipated debut of the Golden State Valkyries, the first expansion team since 2008, adds excitement to the upcoming season. The Valkyries will begin their journey in the WNBA as the 13th team, assembling their roster through the expansion draft. The regular season will witness a record-breaking expansion, stretching from the traditional 40 games to 44, offering fans even more action and excitement.
The 2025 season promises to build on the success of the previous year, which saw record-breaking viewership, attendance, digital consumption, and merchandise sales. The WNBA Draft and All-Star Game of 2024 set new standards, and the league anticipates continuing this momentum. The 2025 WNBA Draft, presented by State Farm, is expected to generate tremendous excitement, with UConn star Paige Bueckers projected to be the first overall pick.
The WNBA's in-season tournament, the Commissioner's Cup, will return for its fifth consecutive year, taking place between June 1 and June 17. Each team will compete in one game against other teams within its conference. The league will announce television and streaming details for all games at a later date. The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will be hosted by the Fever in Indianapolis on Saturday, July 19, marking another highlight of the season.
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Frequently asked questions
The WNBA season starts in May and ends in October.
The WNBA season is around five months long.
Each team will play 44 games during the regular season.
The schedule for the 2025 season was released in November or December 2024.
The All-Star break will be held from 17-21 July, with the All-Star Game taking place on 19 July.
