2027 WNBA Calendar Revealed With 50 Game Schedule

League Sets 2027 Schedule Dates

The 2027 WNBA season will start on May 7 and finish no later than October 24. League officials learned about the timetable during league meetings in Manhattan this week.

Teams are set to play a record 50 regular season games each in 2027. That total is an increase from the 44 regular season games scheduled for 2026. Under the collective bargaining agreement, the league can schedule up to 50 games in both 2027 and 2028. Starting with the 2029 season, the schedule can expand to a maximum of 52 games.

Uninterrupted Action and Playoff Formats

The 2027 calendar will not feature a midseason break for international events. In contrast, the 2026 campaign included a pause for the FIBA World Cup, and the 2028 schedule will feature a break for the Summer Olympics.

The 2026 season started on May 8, and the Finals concluded on October 31. That season ended with the Golden State Valkyries winning Game 7 over the Atlanta Dream. Fans will also see longer postseason action again in 2027. The league changed the WNBA Finals to a best of seven format in 2025. The opening round of the playoffs remains a best of three series, while the semifinals are a best of five format.

Leadership Search and Committee Topics

Off the court, the WNBA is searching for its next leader. Outgoing commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced in September that she will retire at the end of the calendar year. She shared that the search for her replacement is ongoing, and she hopes the hire takes place before December 31.

Engelbert said it is a normal process with a search firm interviewing candidates. Meanwhile, general managers and head coaches from all 15 teams gathered for the annual competition committee meeting.

The group covered several topics, including officiating, practice facilities, and a replay center launching in 2027. No official decisions or rule changes occurred during the meeting. The committee plans to meet again during the Final Four in the spring.