The WNBA is expanding access to its preseason once again, announcing that all 18 games in the 2026 slate will be available to stream for free, continuing a strategy aimed at bringing more fans into the league at a time of rising interest.
The full preseason schedule runs from April 25 through May 3, with every game streaming in the WNBA App via WNBA League Pass. Fans can unlock the games by signing up for a free WNBA ID, with no paid subscription required. The offer applies to the entire preseason window, though local blackout restrictions may still limit access in certain markets.
The league is also maintaining a traditional TV presence, with four games set to air nationally on ION Television. That hybrid approach, ree streaming plus select national broadcasts, gives viewers multiple ways to watch without committing to a full-season package.
Opening day on April 25 features a five-game lineup that blends established stars with incoming talent. A nationally televised matchup between the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty highlights the day, with Caitlin Clark facing off against a Liberty team led by Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. The same day also includes the professional debuts of several top draft picks, including Olivia Miles, Lauren Betts, Awa Fam Thiam, and Flau’jae Johnson.
Throughout the schedule, the preseason leans into variety. International competition is part of the mix, with national teams from Nigeria and Japan facing WNBA clubs. The league is also taking games to non-traditional markets, including South Dakota and Kansas City, while giving fans an early look at expansion franchises Portland and Toronto as they make their preseason debuts.
Several individual storylines are built into the schedule as well. Angel Reese is set to debut with the Atlanta Dream following an offseason trade, while Brittney Griner is expected to make her home debut with Connecticut in one of the nationally televised games. Another key matchup on April 30 will feature No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd alongside Paige Bueckers as the Dallas Wings face Indiana in a preview of the regular season opener.
How to Watch Every WNBA Preseason Game for Free
The expanded preseason access also serves a practical purpose. Teams will use the games to evaluate rosters ahead of final cuts on May 7, just one day before the league’s 30th regular season tips off on May 8. Each team will play 44 games in the regular season, which runs through September 24 before the playoffs begin.
The key takeaway here is simple. Every preseason game is available without a subscription, as long as viewers create a WNBA ID and watch through the app. It’s a low barrier entry point that mirrors broader trends in sports streaming, where leagues are increasingly using free access windows to drive engagement ahead of the regular season.
