US EditionWNBA Season Would Begin May 8 if New CBA Is Reached
The 2026 WNBA season will feature 44 games per team with a midseason FIBA World Cup break and special events, pending a new collective bargaining agreement.
- On May 8, 2026, the WNBA plans to begin its season if the league and the players' union reach a new collective bargaining agreement, with all 15 WNBA teams playing opening weekend including a Las Vegas Aces–Phoenix Mercury rematch.
- Negotiations have proceeded with a moratorium that followed the Jan. 9 impasse, and the WNBA and the WNBA Players' Union are operating in a status-quo negotiation while the old CBA remains in effect.
- Training camp is slated to begin April 19, six days after the college draft, with teams playing 44 games across a five-month season including a FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup pause in early September.
- Free agency and the expansion draft are on hold pending a new CBA, with a potential two-month delay from CBA to free agency.
- The 2026 slate marks the WNBA's 30th season and is billed as a milestone for growth, with expansion teams Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo playing Canadian games in Montreal and Vancouver and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert highlighting Commissioner’s Cup play beginning June 3 and concluding June 30.
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15 Articles
NY Daily News
The SaratogianLiberty announce May 8 start to regular season as WNBA & WNBPA continue CBA talks
The Liberty are set to begin the WNBA’s 30th season on May 8 — if the league and the WNBPA are able to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid work stoppage. The spring matchup against the Connecticut Sun would be the WNBA debut of new Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco at Barclays Center. The Friday evening matchup is the first of a 44-game WNBA schedule. It’s still unknown how the initial 44-game schedule announced Wednes…
Rockdale Citizen & Newton Citizen
CWEB.com - Trending News, Business News, Shopping Deals, VideosWNBA season set to start May 8 despite impasse
The WNBA plans to begin the 2026 season on May 8 despite the fact the league and players' union remain at an impasse on agreeing to a new collective bargaining agreement.
WNBA reveals 2026 schedule — even as labor battle looms over start of season
The WNBA on Wednesday unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 regular-season schedule. But hold your horses: This announcement doesn't necessarily mean the WNBA and Women's National Basketball Players' Association are any closer to finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement.
WNBA season to begin May 8 if new CBA is reached — and league will take a 17-day FIBA World Cup break
NEW YORK — The WNBA is set to begin its season on May 8, assuming the league and the players’ union can come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. Teams will play 44 games over a five-month period with a 17-day break for the FIBA World Cup in early September. The league said last year that with the World Cup this season they would keep the schedule at 44 games despite adding two new teams in Portland and Toronto. Chicago prep…
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