WNBA 2026 season tips off Friday with Toronto + Portland expansion

Two days. The W's 30th-anniversary season tips Friday, May 8 — and for the first time in over two decades, the league is bigger than it was last season. Toronto Tempo become the league's first Canadian franchise, opening at Washington at 7:30 ET. Then Connecticut at New York under the lights. Saturday: Portland Fire — yes, that Portland Fire, last seen in 2002 — debuts vs. the Sky.

The schedule is built like a national broadcast wishlist. Saturday's slate has the Aces at Mercury Finals rematch, then Indiana's home opener vs. Dallas — which means Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers vs. Azzi Fudd vs. Aliyah Boston, the past four No. 1 picks all in one building, on ABC at 1 ET. The W is back on NBC for the first time since 2002 too. Ten-plus channels carrying games this year.

The hype is bigger than ever, and so are the storylines. Angel Reese in Atlanta after the Sky traded her. Wilson chasing a fourth MVP. Ionescu missing the start. The Sky cutting Hailey Van Lith. Defending-champ Aces vs. everyone. The 2026 WNBA season is two days from being live — and it might be the most-watched in league history.