How To Watch the WNBA in 2024
We spent over 20 hours researching and examining the top TV providers to determine the best ways to watch the 2024 WNBA season.
The WNBA is the pinnacle of professional women’s basketball, and you can watch most nationally televised games across ESPN and CBS Sports networks. However, you’ll need a more comprehensive TV plan to watch in-market and out-of-market matchups.
YouTube TV is the best overall TV provider for watching the WNBA. The live TV streaming service carries the core national WNBA channels at a manageable monthly cost. You won’t get every WNBA game with YouTube TV, but adding a WNBA League Pass subscription to your plan will give you complete out-of-market access.
Before we go into more detail, let’s first take a look at each channel you’ll need to watch WNBA games.
What channels show WNBA games?
You can watch nationally televised WNBA games on ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ION, and NBA TV. Streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, ESPN+, and Paramount+ also carry WNBA matchups, while Meta Quest will stream select games through its Meta Horizon Worlds virtual reality app.
Here’s a list of 2024 regular-season game counts for each channel/platform:
- ABC (9 games)
- Amazon Prime Video (21 games)
- CBS/Paramount+ (8 games)
- CBS Sports Network (12 games)
- ESPN/ESPN+ (14 games)
- ESPN2 (2 games)
- ESPN3 (11 games)
- ION (43 games)
- Meta Quest (20 games)
- NBA TV (40 games)
Not all games on ESPN3 and ION are available nationwide, as some matchups air on a regional basis. Live WNBA games that don’t air on national TV or stream on Prime Video are accessible on WNBA League Pass or your local WNBA team’s regional sports network.
WNBA schedule: key events and channels
Below is a table featuring key events for the 2024 WNBA season. For a more detailed look at individual matchups and channel listings, visit the WNBA’s official schedule.
| Event | Start date | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| WNBA Draft | April 15, 2024 | ESPN |
| WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship | June 25, 2024 | Amazon Prime Video |
| WNBA Skills Challenge & Three-Point Contest | July 19, 2024 | ESPN |
| WNBA All-Star Game | July 20, 2024 | ABC |
| WNBA Playoffs | September 22, 2024 | ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 |
| WNBA Finals | October 2024 | ABC, ESPN |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV providers for WNBA games
- Editor’s choice: YouTube TV ($72.99/mo.)
- Best for regional sports networks: DIRECTV ($69.99–$159.99/mo.*)
- Best WNBA streaming app: WNBA League Pass ($34.99/yr.)
- Cheapest: OTA antenna ($20.00–$60.00 one-time purchase)
Editor’s choice: YouTube TV
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Every nationally televised WNBA game (except for Prime Video games)
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Recognizable interface
Cons
- Limited regional sports networks
- No customizable plans
YouTube TV offers the best TV plan for watching the WNBA. The live TV streaming service gives you every nationally televised game—apart from the select games shown on Prime Video—and an unlimited amount of DVR storage.
With most TV providers, channels like CBS Sports Network and NBA TV require you to sign up for a higher-tiered package. But YouTube TV offers only one plan, and both channels are included.
One of the best features of YouTube TV for sports fans is that you can add your favorite teams to your on-demand library. All you have to do is search for the team you’re interested in and select the plus sign on that team’s profile page. YouTube TV will then record any available games from that team as they air live.
Another great thing about YouTube TV is that there are no long-term contracts. Plus, if you want to watch only WNBA games, you can easily cancel your plan when the season ends. But having YouTube TV year-round is always good, especially for college basketball and NBA coverage.
The major downside to YouTube TV is that you’ll likely miss out on your regional sports network (RSN). So, if you live within the general area of your favorite WNBA team, you may want to look at DIRECTV to catch local WNBA games on TV.
For complete out-of-market game access, though, we recommend pairing YouTube TV with WNBA League Pass ($34.99 a year). Since 2023, WNBA League Pass has been available as an add-on through YouTube TV—giving you the most WNBA coverage in a single service.
Best for regional sports networks: DIRECTV
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
Pros
- Every nationally televised WNBA game (except for Prime Video games)
- Wide selection of regional sports networks
- 200 HD storage hrs. w/ included DVR
Cons
- Expensive plans
- 2-yr. contract
DIRECTV’s ULTIMATE All-Included plan ($114.99 a month*) also comes with every channel required to watch national WNBA games—except for those Prime Video games. It even has many RSNs, so you’re more likely to catch in-market matchups with DIRECTV.
Pro tip: If you’re okay with missing out on the games shown on CBS Sports Network, you can drop down to DIRECTV’s CHOICE™ plan ($84.99 a month) to save $30 a month compared to ULTIMATE All-Included. You’ll still get all the other necessary channels for watching WNBA games—you’ll just have a smaller overall channel count.
Of course, DIRECTV also requires a lot of commitment—which is why it’s not our top pick for WNBA fans. With the satellite TV provider, you’ll get stuck in a two-year contract with a bulky satellite dish on your property. That’s never ideal for folks living in condos or apartments.
However, if you’re fine with the commitment, DIRECTV is still one of the best TV services for sports fans. It’s jam-packed with sports-specific channels and has several add-on packages available for those who want the most NBA, NFL, and MLB action. After all, if you enjoy the WNBA, you probably enjoy several other sports leagues.
Best streaming app: WNBA League Pass
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Inexpensive pricing
- Access to out-of-market games
- Live in-game stats overlay
Cons
- No live locally or nationally televised games
- Poor device compatibility
WNBA League Pass is a must-have streaming service for any fan of women’s basketball. It costs only $34.99 annually and offers up to 176 out-of-market WNBA games per season—giving you every live match that’s not already airing on local or national television. You also get access to live Athletes Unlimited Basketball games during the offseason.
Like NBA League Pass, WNBA League Pass has several great features for streaming WNBA games. You can watch up to four games simultaneously and view in-game statistical overlays for the most detailed experience. Plus, you can watch every game on demand from the past eight seasons.
Because of local blackouts, WNBA League Pass works best for fans who don’t live near their favorite team. For example, if you’re a Seattle Storm fan living in Florida, you’ll get live access to every Storm game that’s not nationally televised. But if you’re a Storm fan living in Washington, you won’t get any live Storm games on WNBA League Pass.
On the other hand, national blackouts are unavoidable no matter where you’re located, which is why WNBA League Pass works best in tandem with a TV service like YouTube TV.
Cheapest: Over-the-air (OTA) HD TV antenna
†CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $39.99 (as of 4/12/24 1:45 p.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.
Pros
- Low, one-time price
- Local TV coverage
Cons
- No DVR included
- No out-of-market coverage
Even without a full-blown TV plan, you can still watch WNBA games. All you’ll need to do is connect a digital antenna to your TV, and you’ll get access to every local channel within range.
ABC and CBS are two of the most common over-the-air TV networks, and each air a small handful of WNBA games. You can also watch WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION with a digital antenna, but ION is a less common channel nationwide. Regardless, you’ll want to purchase a quality antenna with a decent range to ensure you can receive the most WNBA channels.
We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 because it has a 60-mile range and a multi-directional design for easy in-home placement. It’s even 4K-ready, an excellent feature as more leagues begin broadcasting in higher resolutions.
How can I watch the WNBA for free?
The easiest way to watch free WNBA games is by streaming ION through services like Freevee, Tubi, and The Roku Channel. ION is a fantastic platform for women’s sports because of its Friday night WNBA games and Saturday night NWSL matches.
You can also catch WNBA games for free by tuning in to your local ABC, CBS, and ION stations. You’ll first need to connect a digital antenna to your TV to gain access to these local channels. But a simple one-time antenna purchase will get you every sport that airs locally free thereafter—including some NBA, MLB, and MLS games.
The Mohu Leaf 50 is our most recommended digital antenna because it has 4K capabilities and, more importantly, a 60-mile range, which means you’re more likely to pick up your local stations.
How to watch the WNBA FAQ
Can you watch the WNBA on Roku?
Yes, the WNBA app is available on Roku. Plus, you can watch WNBA games on Roku through live TV streaming services and channel-specific apps that allow you to sign in with your TV provider credentials. Subscribers of Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+’s Premium plan, and NBA TV can also stream live WNBA games through each service’s respective Roku app.
What channel is the WNBA All-Star Game on?
You can watch the WNBA All-Star Game on ABC. The Phoenix Mercury will host the 2024 matchup at Footprint Center on Saturday, July 20.
Where can I watch the WNBA in Canada?
In Canada, WNBA games air nationally on TSN, Sportsnet, CBS, CBS Sports Network, and NBA TV Canada. You can also stream select games on Amazon Prime Video and catch all non-nationally televised games on WNBA League Pass.
Where can I watch WNBA preseason games?
Select WNBA preseason games air on regional sports networks and stream on WNBA League Pass. Unfortunately, the league doesn’t televise every preseason matchup, so you’ll have to keep an eye on social media to avoid preseason FOMO.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts spent over 20 hours researching the best ways to watch WNBA games. We compared the most popular TV providers head to head, focusing on each provider’s plans, prices, and overall WNBA coverage. Equipment requirements and DVR storage space were also taken into account, with hands-on testing specifically targeting each provider’s interface.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
†Amazon.com price as of 4/12/24 1:45 p.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
DIRECTV: *New approved residential customers, price incl. TV pkg & equip. fees for first TV. Add’l fees may apply to non-qualified customers. Early agmt termination fee applies ($20/mo.) & add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply. $19.95 activation & equipment lease req’d for satellite customers. Equipment lease req’d for DIRECTV via Internet customers in some sales channels.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
