The WNBA offseason calendar, including events like the 2026 schedule release and expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, has already been significantly affected by ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
The CBA has been extended twice as the league and the players’ union negotiate new terms on multiple fronts, including salary structure, housing, and how the core designation would work.
So, when will the 2026 WNBA and Fever schedule be released?
Schedules for the upcoming season are typically released in late November or early December. The 2025 season came out Dec. 2, 2024, while the 2024 schedule was released Dec. 18, 2023, and the 2023 season schedule was released Nov. 30, 2022.
A league spokesperson told IndyStar that the 2026 schedule can be released without a new collective bargaining agreement, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will, as there are some kinks that could arise.
If there is not a new ratified CBA by the time the 2026 season is supposed to start, the announced season schedule could be pushed — affecting travel plans already made by both the teams and fans who planned trips around potential games.
Players have been open about a potential lockout if the two sides cannot come to a formal agreement before the usual start to training camp in May. The union announced Thursday that they authorized the player executive committee to call for a strike if necessary. It doesn’t mean the players will imminently go on strike, but it is the first step in the process.
“The players’ decision is an unavoidable response to the state of negotiations with the WNBA and its teams,” the union’s statement read. “Time and again, the players’ thoughtful and reasonable approach has been met by the WNBA and its teams with a resistance to change and a recommitment to the draconian provisions that have unfairly restricted players for nearly three decades.”
But players have also underscored the necessity of playing on schedule in 2026, wanting to build on the momentum the WNBA has gained over the past couple seasons.
“This is the biggest moment in the history of the WNBA, and I don’t want that to be forgotten,” Fever star Caitlin Clark said. “It’s important that we find a way to play next season. I think our fans, and even everyone that has come and played in this league before us, deserve that as well.”
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@gannett.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar’s YouTube channel and join Fever Insiders Live.