The WNBA Playoffs have arrived! How to watch each game
The WNBA Playoffs have arrived! How to watch each game
See how to stream each contest of the 2026 WNBA postseason, and which platform we think you should stream it on.
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs are about to tip off, with the league’s biggest stars ready to vie for a championship. Players like Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell, and more will hit the hardwood beginning on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. ET on ABC, CNBC, ESPN, ESPN2, NBC, and USA Network as well as Prime Video. We recommend watching the playoffs with a combination of YouTube TV and Prime Video.
How to watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs
- When: Starting Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC, CNBC, ESPN, ESPN2, NBC, USA Network, Prime Video
- Stream: Watch with a combo of free trials from Prime Video and YouTube TV; games wll also stream on ESPN Unlimited and Peacock.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about the 2026 WNBA Playoffs
What is the schedule of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs?
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Sept. 27 | 2 p.m. | Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty | ABC, ESPN Unlimited |
| Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 8:30 p.m. | New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx | USA Network, CNBC, Peacock |
| Thursday, Oct. 1 | TBD | Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty* | TBD |
{*} denotes if necessary
Round 1 - Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Sept. 27 | 4 p.m. | Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever | ABC, ESPN Unlimited |
| Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 6:30 p.m. | Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces | Prime Video |
| Thursday, Oct. 1 | TBD | Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever* | TBD |
{*} denotes if necessary
Round 1 - Atlanta Dream vs Washington Mystics
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Sept. 27 | 7 p.m. | Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics | Prime Video |
| Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 7 p.m. | Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream | ESPN, ESPN Unlimited |
| Friday, Oct. 2 | TBD | Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics* | TBD |
{*} denotes if necessary
Round 1 - Golden State Valkyries vs Dallas Wings
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Sept. 27 | 9 p.m. | Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings | USA Network, CNBC, Peacock |
| Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 9 p.m. | Dallas Wings vs. Golden State Valkyries | ESPN, ESPN Unlimited |
| Friday Oct. 2 | TBD | Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings* | TBD |
{*} denotes if necessary
Semifinal 1
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Oct. 4 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD | ABC, ESPN Unlimited |
| Wednesday, Oct. 7 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD | ESPN, ESPN Unlimited |
| Friday, Oct. 9 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD | ESPN2, ESPN Unlimited |
| Sunday, Oct. 11 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD* | ABC, ESPN Unlimited |
| Wednesday, Oct. 14 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD* | ESPN, ESPN Unlimited |
{*} denotes if necessary
Semifinal 2
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Oct. 4 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD | NBC, Peacock |
| Wednesday, Oct. 7 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD | NBC Sports Network, Peacock |
| Friday, Oct. 9 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD | NBC Sports Network, Peacock |
| Sunday, Oct. 11 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD* | NBC, Peacock |
| Wednesday, Oct. 14 | TBD | TBD vs. TBD* | NBC Sports Network, Peacock |
{*} denotes if necessary
Final
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Oct. 17 | 3:30 p.m. | TBD vs. TBD | NBC, Peacock |
| Monday, Oct. 19 | 8 p.m. | TBD vs. TBD | USA Network |
| Thursday, Oct. 22 | 8 p.m. | TBD vs. TBD | USA Network |
| Saturday, Oct. 24 | 3:30 p.m. | TBD vs. TBD | NBC, Peacock |
| Monday, Oct. 26 | 8 p.m. | TBD vs. TBD* | USA Network |
| Thursday, Oct. 29 | 8 p.m. | TBD vs. TBD* | USA Network |
| Saturday, Oct. 31 | 8 p.m. | TBD vs. TBD* | USA Network |
Preview the 2026 WNBA Playoffs
Why watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs on Prime Video and YouTube TV?
There are so few live TV streaming services that include NBC Sports Network alongside the other channels needed to watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs, and YouTube TV is the best of the bunch. It has NBCSN in its core package, along with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CNBC, NBC, and USA Network for $83 per month after a free trial that can last between two and 21 days.
Prime Video will also exclusively host a selection of WNBA Playoff games. The streamer is an included benefit of the Amazon Prime service and can also be purchased standalone for $9 per month for an ad-supported plan that includes all live sports on Prime Video, the streamer’s full on-demand library, and more.
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Prime Video
Prime Video is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 10,000+ movies, TV shows, and Prime Originals like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “Jack Ryan,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Boys,” and more. Subscribers can also add third-party services like Max, Showtime, STARZ, and dozens more with Prime Video Channels. Prime Video also offers exclusive live access to NFL Thursday Night Football.
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YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.
Can you stream the 2026 WNBA Playoffs for free?
No, there is no way to watch the entire WNBA Playoffs for free this year. YouTube TV offers a free trial that can last between two and 21 days, so new customers will get a chance to watch some games for free. Amazon Prime comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers, but signing up for Prime Video alone does not include the same trial.
All the services you can use to watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs
There are several live TV streamers that offer some WNBA postseason coverage this year, but none as comprehensive as YouTube TV. DIRECTV carries every linear channel needed except NBC Sports Network, and Fubo offers NBCSN, but not CNBC or USA Network.
Peacock will stream all games airing live on NBC and NBC Sports Network in its Premium and Premium Plus packages, starting at $14 per month.
| DIRECTV | Fubo | Hulu | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Save with Sling | Free Trial | |||||
| $20.99 | $9.99 | $28.99 | $19.99 | $29.99 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $64.99 | ||
| ABC | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CNBC | + $22 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | - | + $6 | + $18 | |
| ESPN | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| ESPN2 | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| NBC | + $19 | + $11 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| USA Network | + $24 | - | + $61 | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
How to watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs from anywhere
If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs as you normally would, you can still catch all of the action no matter where you are in the world with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home — even when you’re not — making sure you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Keep in mind that you will still need to be subscribed to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, plus Prime Video in order to stream the games with a VPN.
NordVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get two full years of protection for just $3.59 per month — plus you’ll get three extra months FREE. A high-speed VPN with best-in-class security that can be used on up to 10 devices at once — what more could you ask for? Simply sign up, install the software on your device of choice, and start streaming just as you would back home. It couldn’t be easier!
While NordVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN to use while you are traveling, there are a number of other high-quality options available depending on what you are looking for.
- Best Features: ExpressVPN | Starting at $5 per month
- Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
- Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available
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