After a historic 30th anniversary regular season that shattered viewership records and packed arenas nationwide. The postseason is finally here. The intensity is about to turn up as the top eight teams in the league prepare to battle for the ultimate prize.

Whether you’re setting up an office pool, making predictions with friends, or just want to track your favorite squad’s journey to the Finals. Following the action is always better with our updated 2026 WNBA playoffs bracket in hand. Read on for a complete breakdown of the first-round matchups, television schedules, and access to our exclusive high-resolution downloadable sheets. These are now available in both PNG and printable PDF formats.

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First-Round Matchups: The Quest for the Crown Begins

The WNBA postseason field is set. The top eight teams earn playoff spots based on their regular-season records, regardless of conference affiliation. The first round features best-of-three series using a 1-1-1 format. The higher seed hosts Game 1 and, if necessary, the deciding Game 3.

As you start filling out our updated 2026 WNBA playoffs bracket, here is a look at the opening-round matchups:

(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) New York Liberty

The Minnesota Lynx enter the postseason as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season with a 33–11 record. Earning the top spot for the second consecutive year. They will host the New York Liberty (26–18) at Target Center in a first-round matchup that brings back memories of the 2024 WNBA Finals. When these two teams faced each other for the championship.

The Liberty return to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed after a competitive regular season and will look to challenge the top-seeded Lynx in this opening-round series.

(2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (7) Dallas Wings

The Golden State Valkyries secured the No. 2 seed after finishing the season with a 32–12 record. A late-season victory over the Los Angeles Sparks helped the expansion franchise lock in the second seed and home-court advantage for the first round.

They will face the Dallas Wings (27–17), who enter the postseason as the No. 7 seed. Dallas will look to make a deep playoff run behind the contributions of rookie Paige Bueckers, who is making her first WNBA postseason appearance.

(3) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Indiana Fever

The defending champion Las Vegas Aces begin their title defense as the No. 3 seed after finishing the regular season with a 31–13 record. Led by three-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas enters the postseason looking to continue its championship run.

Standing in their way is the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever, who finished the season strongly with a 28–16 record. Indiana enters the series with a talented roster featuring Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, creating a matchup between two teams with significant star power.

(4) Atlanta Dream vs. (5) Washington Mystics

In what will be certainly the most-underrated series, the Atlanta Dream will take on the Washington Mystics. The Dream earned the No. 4 seed after completing the regular season with a 30–14 record, securing home-court advantage in the first round. They will face the No. 5 seed Washington Mystics, who finished 28–16.

This matchup features two closely seeded teams, with both sides looking to advance from one of the most competitive first-round series of the 2026 postseason.

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2026 WNBA Playoffs: Format & Game 1 Schedule

Once the first round is complete, the four remaining teams will advance to the Semifinals, which feature best-of-five series. The final two teams will then compete for the championship in the WNBA Finals, a best-of-seven series. Keep your 2026 WNBA playoff bracket updated as the postseason moves forward!

The postseason action begins with a four-game opening-day schedule on Sunday, September 27. Here is the Game 1 schedule:

  • 2:00 PM ET: (1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) New York Liberty | Broadcast: ABC
  • 4:00 PM ET: (3) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Indiana Fever | Broadcast: ABC
  • 7:00 PM ET: (4) Atlanta Dream vs. (5) Washington Mystics | Broadcast: Prime Video
  • 9:00 PM ET: (2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (7) Dallas Wings | Broadcast: USA Network/CNBC

Print your updated WNBA playoffs bracket. Make your predictions, and follow every matchup as the road to the 2026 WNBA championship begins.

Download Your Free updated 2026 WNBA Playoff Postseason Brackets 

The 2026 WNBA playoffs feature several players and teams entering the bracket with plenty of attention surrounding their opening-round matchups.

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The Dallas Wings will make their playoff appearance with rookie Paige Bueckers preparing for her first WNBA postseason run. The No. 7 seed Wings will face the No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries in the opening round.

Angel Reese is also set to make her postseason debut with the Atlanta Dream after joining the team during the offseason. The No. 4 seed Dream will meet the No. 5 seed Washington Mystics in a first-round series.

The defending champion Las Vegas Aces enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed after finishing the regular season with a strong closing stretch. They will begin their title defense against the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever.

The Golden State Valkyries secured the No. 2 seed after a late-season victory over the Los Angeles Sparks helped determine the final playoff standings. They will host the Dallas Wings in their opening-round series.

Don’t miss a single upset or Cinderella run! We’ve put together crisp, 8.5″ x 11″ printable files so you can follow the action exactly how you want. Updating your 2026 WNBA playoffs bracket is easy with these three options available in image and printable PDF formats.