The Indiana Fever are one of the most soughtafter teams to watch in the WNBA thanks to Caitlin Clark, and the league has tried to get as many fans into seats as possible
Caitlin Clark is one of the biggest stars in the WNBA
Caitlin Clark’s status as the WNBA’s greatest asset is reflected in the 2026 season schedule, as the Indiana Fever will play 39 games in NBA arenas.
Last week, having previously said she believed the two sides were close to breaking ground on a “historic” deal following lengthy negotiations, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed there is a “tentative verbal agreement” on a new CBA, which could be transformative for the league moving forward.
The WNBA and WNBPA have been in talks for a new CBA for well over a year. Players were still being paid under the 2020 agreement, even as the league experienced exponential growth.
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However, with just 51 days until the 2026 WNBA season was scheduled to begin, an agreement has finally been reached. While the deal still needs to be ratified, the 2026 season will proceed without a lockout.
Clark will be delighted. She had previously expressed her desire to play, particularly after an injury-hit 2025 campaign; Clark played just 13 WNBA games, averaging 16.5 points per game alongside an impressive 8.8 assists.
She recently returned to the court with Team USA, but Clark is desperate to play for the Fever in the WNBA. She will do so following the CBA agreement, and Clark’s impact on the Fever’s schedule is clear.
Remarkably, the Fever will play all but five games of their 44-game regular season schedule in NBA arenas. This is partly because the Fever share a home with the Indiana Pacers, as do some other WNBA teams, but also because of games moving to address demand, as fans across the country were desperate to get a glimpse of Clark in action.
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Caitlin Clark is set to return to WNBA action after missing much of the 2025 season(Image: Getty Images)
Alongside her return to action, Clark will have more reason to smile entering 2026 in the wake of the CBA. The salary cap will start at $7 million from 2026, a vast increase from the previous $1.5 million total, while the supermax will also start at $1.4 million, jumping from the previous maximum of $249,244. The average salary will jump to $600,000 from the $120,000 midpoint in 2025, while minimum salaries will rise from $66,079 to $300,000.
In addition to the salary increases, there is a reported average revenue share of nearly 20 percent.
Several events still need to take place before the season tips off. Free agency has yet to be held due to the CBA negotiations, while the expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire — the WNBA’s two new teams — will take place on Friday, April 3.
The 2026 WNBA Draft, scheduled for April 14, must also be held after the NCAA Tournament. Training camp is expected to begin on April 19, with the preseason starting on April 25, before the 2026 WNBA season begins on May 8.