The 2026 WNBA Playoffs reach the semifinals, after the shocking elimination of the league-best Minnesota Lynx and with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces still in the running. The semifinals begin Sunday, October 4 as the New York Liberty take on the Atlanta Dream, and the Aces clash with the Golden State Valkyries.
What do the WNBA Playoffs stream on?
The WNBA semifinals and finals are spread across a variety of networks, with only a single streaming service offering comprehensive coverage. The best way to catch the most games is with a 5-day free trial of DIRECTV.
How to watch WNBA Playoffs for free on DIRECTV
Sign up for a free trial of DIRECTV for five days to start watching WNBA Playoffs games today. USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, NBC, NBCSN and CNBC are all included at the basic DIRECTV Entertainment level. Once your free trial is over, you will be billed $59.99 for the first month, then $89.99 for each additional month of service.
DIRECTV
Stream live sports, breaking news and must-see shows, and enjoy up to $30 off your first month of DIRECTV Entertainment.
fuboTV also offers a free trial, and has all games except for those on USA Network and CNBC. Given the number of games appearing on USA Network, particularly during the finals, this is not as good of an option as DIRECTV.
Peacock will carry all games on NBC, NBCSN, USA or CNBC, but does not offer a free trial. Similarly, ESPN Unlimited will carry games on ABC and ESPN/2, but does not offer a free trial.
Sling does not reliably carry local networks, such as ABC or NBC, but it does offer cheap day passes, for fans who want to watch single, specific games.
When are the 2026 WNBA playoffs semifinals?
The 2026 WNBA playoffs semifinal round starts at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on ABC, with streaming available via DIRECTV. The semifinals features best-of-five series that run through Wednesday, October 14.
Here’s the full, can’t miss WNBA Playoffs schedule this week. All times ET.
Semifinal schedule
Sunday, Oct. 4
Game 1: Liberty @ Dream, 2 p.m. on ABCGame 1: Aces @ Valkyries, 4 p.m. on NBC/Peacock
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Game 2: Liberty @ Dream, 7:30 p.m. on ESPNGame 2: Aces @ Valkyries, 9:30 p.m. on NBCSN/Peacock
Friday, Oct. 9
Game 3: Dream @ Liberty, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2Game 3: Valkyries @ Aces, 9:30 p.m. on NBCSN/Peacock
Sunday, Oct. 11
Game 4*: Dream @ Liberty, Time TBD on ABCGame 4*: Valkyries @ Aces, Time TBD on NBC/Peacock
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Game 5*: Liberty @ Dream, Time TBD on ESPNGame 5*: Aces @ Valkyries, Time TBD on NBCSN/Peacock
The best-of-seven WNBA Finals begin on Saturday, October 17 between the winners of each semifinal series.
WNBA Finals scheduleSaturday, Oct. 17 Game 1: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/PeacockMonday, Oct. 19 Game 2: 8 p.m. ET, USA/PeacockThursday, Oct. 22 Game 3: 8 p.m. ET, USA/PeacockSaturday, Oct. 24 Game 4: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/PeacockMonday, Oct. 26 Game 5*: 8 p.m. ET, USA/PeacockThursday, Oct. 29 Game 6*: 8 p.m. ET, USA/PeacockSaturday, Oct. 31 Game 7*: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock
* Game played if necessary
What is the WNBA Playoffs format?
The WNBA playoffs feature the league’s top eight teams, regardless of conference, with teams seeded by regular-season record. The postseason began with a best-of-three first round, where the No. 1 seed faces No. 8, No. 2 faces No. 7, and so on. From here on out, the bracket stays fixed, meaning teams are not re-seeded after each round. The semifinals are played as best-of-five series, and the WNBA Finals are a best-of-seven series. Home-court advantage goes to the higher seed in every round, giving teams an added incentive to finish as high as possible in the regular-season standings.