Expansion Valkyries tip off 2025 WNBA schedule

The WNBA will begin its 2025 season on May 16, highlighted by expansion franchise Golden State hosting Los Angeles. Also on opening day, Dallas, which has the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft and is expected to take UConn guard Paige Bueckers, will host 2024 runner-up Minnesota.

WNBA teams will play 44 games and conclude the regular season Sept. 11, followed by the playoffs, which have expanded to a best-of-seven series for the WNBA Finals. The semifinals remain best-of-five and the first round stays best-of-three, although that format changes to 1-1-1, guaranteeing both teams get a home game.

The WNBA's television and streaming schedules will be released later.

The Valkyries, who join the league as its 13th team, have their expansion draft Friday (ESPN, 6:30 p.m. ET). Golden State will pick fifth in the 2025 draft in April. The Sparks, who finished last in 2024, have the No. 2 selection in the draft.

Washington, with the No. 4 pick in the draft, will host to the other opening-day game, facing Atlanta.

Defending WNBA champion New York gets started on May 17, hosting two-time champion Las Vegas, led by 2024 unanimous MVP A'ja Wilson. Indiana and 2024 Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark begin their season on May 17 as well, facing Chicago and Angel Reese. The Sky have the No. 3 pick in April's draft.

Stephanie White is now guiding the Fever and Tyler Marsh the Sky, as several teams will have new coaches for 2025. Connecticut, Dallas and Washington still have not hired their coaches.

New York and Minnesota, who battled five games for the WNBA title in October, face off four times in 2025: in Minneapolis on July 30 and Aug. 16, and in New York on Aug. 10 and Aug. 19.

New York and Las Vegas, who met in the 2023 WNBA Finals won by the Aces, play three times this season: in New York on May 17 and July 8, and in Las Vegas on Aug. 13.

The Fever, who have the past two rookies of the year in No. 1 picks in Clark and Aliyah Boston, will face the Wings and their No. 1 pick four times: in Dallas on June 27 and Aug. 1, and in Indiana on July 13 and Aug. 12

The games designated for the Commissioner's Cup standings will run from June 1-17. Each team plays the others in its conference -- five games for the six Eastern Conference teams and six for the seven Western Conference teams. The top teams in each conference meet for the Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday, July 1, hosted by team with the best winning percentage in Cup play.

The WNBA's All-Star Game will be held for the first time in Indianapolis at the Fever's home, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, on July 19.

Along with the expansion draft and regular draft shaping teams for 2025, free agency will play a big role. Teams can start negotiating with free agents on Jan. 21, and can begin signing players on Feb. 1.