The 2026 WNBA season faces a world against it. Literally.
After the 2025 season ended, expectations were high for the coming season. While the WNBA’s future hangs in the balance amid stalled CBA talks, fans are not turning their backs.
But while there’s more said than done, women’s basketball followers are wondering when the 2026 WNBA season will start. If that’s something everybody is rooting for, let’s find out the answer.
When Is 2026 WNBA Season Starting?
Historically, the WNBA regular season begins in mid-May. And for the 2026 campaign, a similar start date is expected, with training camps likely to open in late April.
However, the schedule will need to accommodate a significant international event. The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup is scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany, from September 4 to September 13, 2026.
AP Sources: WNBA’s current CBA proposal inc rev sharing would provide max salary of more than $1.1 million, min salary of more than $220K; and avg player salary of more than $460K- starting in year 1 increase in future with revenue growth.
— Doug Feinberg (@DougFeinberg) November 19, 2025
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This September timeframe will pose a direct conflict with the traditional WNBA playoffs schedule.
In previous years involving World Cups (like 2022), the league has adjusted its calendar to finish the regular season earlier or compress the schedule to allow players to join their national teams.
Unlike the Olympic break, which pauses the season in July, a September World Cup typically forces the league to either conclude its Finals before the tournament begins or navigate a complicated late-season hiatus.
Will There Be A 2026 WNBA Season?
The short answer is yes. However, it hinges on labor peace. The current CBA between the WNBA and the Players Association (WNBPA) already expired on October 31, 2025.
Negotiations have been tense, with WNBA-WNBPA agreeing to a 30-day extension that pushed the deadline to November 30, 2025.
If a new deal is not reached by this deadline, the league could enter a “status quo” period where operations continue under the old rules while talks proceed. However, the risk of a work stoppage, either a lockout initiated by owners or a strike by players, remains a real possibility.
A lockout would freeze all league business, including the highly anticipated expansion draft and free agency period, potentially delaying the start of the 2026 season. All in all, there would be a lot of mess that nobody would want.