The 2026 WNBA playoffs begin this Sunday, marking the start of an exciting postseason where eight teams vie for a shot at the championship. This year’s first round is especially competitive – the No. 1 seed and No. 8 seed are separated by just seven games, a tighter gap than the 11‑game difference last season.

Round‑1 Matchups

All four series feature compelling storylines:

• No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever – The defending champions look to repeat.
• No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 New York Liberty – A rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals.
• No. 5 Washington Mystics vs. No. 4 Atlanta Dream – Washington returns to the postseason for the first time since 2023.
• No. 7 Dallas Wings vs. No. 2 Golden State Valkyries – Dallas also makes its first playoff appearance since 2023.

Each series follows a best‑of‑three format. The higher‑seeded team hosts Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3, giving them home‑court advantage.

How to Watch

Games will be broadcast across several networks:

• USA Network – streams available on USANetwork.com and the USA Network app.
• ABC and ESPN family of networks – streams available on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
• Prime Video – select games will be streamed through Amazon’s Prime Video platform.

Below is the schedule for the opening round:

• Sept. 27 – Game 1 of two series.
• Sept. 29 – Game 2 of the series that split the first day.
• Sept. 30 – Game 3, if required, for any series tied after two games.
• Oct. 1 – Remaining Game 2 matchups.
• Oct. 2 – Final Game 3 opportunities.

The semifinals begin on Sunday, Oct. 4, and will shift to a best‑of‑five format. The championship series will be best‑of‑seven, concluding the season later in October.

What to Expect

With the top seed only seven games ahead of the eighth seed, the first round promises tight contests and potential upsets. Fans of the Las Vegas Aces will be watching to see if they can defend their title, while the Minnesota Lynx aim to reclaim the crown after their 2024 Finals loss.

For those new to the WNBA, the playoffs offer a great introduction to the league’s high‑level talent and competitive spirit. Whether you prefer traditional TV or streaming on a mobile device, the options above ensure you can follow every pivotal moment.

Stay tuned for the semifinal matchups and the eventual showdown for the 2026 WNBA championship.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.