How to Watch the Washington Mystics
The Mystics have young talent, but can they make noise in the East?
The Washington Mystics haven’t had a winning season in three years. But after the franchise drafted UCLA star Lauren Betts, there’s plenty of reason to watch the Mystics in 2026.
Betts joins a roster featuring 10 rookies out of 16 total players in training camp. Washington’s coach, Sydney Johnson, is only in his second season, and it’s clear the team has a lot of learning to do. But in a league that just expanded, the Mystics will have plenty of opportunities to rack up some wins.
Fans who don’t want to miss a single Mystics possession will primarily tune in to the team’s regional sports network. The rest of the season—roughly a quarter of their games—will be broadcast nationally. Keep reading to learn what channels the Mystics will be on, which TV plans you’ll need, and how to watch the team for free.
Where to watch the Mystics—local TV breakdown
The Mystics air on Monumental Sports Network for fans living in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, as well as parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and West Virginia. For those who prefer streaming, Monumental+ offers the same in-market coverage.
If you want to watch the Mystics but don’t live in those areas, look into WNBA League Pass, the league’s out-of-market service.
| Channel | Starting price | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monumental Sports Network | Varies | Most in-market games | DIRECTV, Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, Optimum, Fubo |
| Monumental+ | $19.99/mo. | Most in-market games | Monumental website and app |
| WNBA League Pass | $14.99/mo. | Most out-of-market games | WNBA app, Prime Video Channels |
Where to watch the Mystics—national TV breakdown
When the Mystics aren’t on their regional sports network, fans can catch them on ION, NBA TV, Peacock Premium, and Amazon Prime Video. Games on Peacock Premium are also on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN).
| Network | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Thursday night exclusives, Commissioner's Cup championship | Prime Video subscription ($8.99–$17.98/mo.) |
| ABC | Select weekend games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services, digital antenna |
| CBS | Select weekend games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services, Paramount+ Premium, digital antenna |
| CBS Sports Network | Select regular-season games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| ESPN / ESPN2 | Regular-season and playoff games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| ION | Friday night regular-season games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services, digital antenna |
| NBA TV | Select regular-season games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| USA Network | Select regular-season games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
Best TV plans for watching the Washington Mystics
Watching any WNBA team nowadays means multiple TV services if fans want to catch every game. For the Mystics, I broke down which ones are a must for 2026, along with why I think so.
In addition, you’ll need a subscription to Peacock Premium for the games on May 18 and June 8.
Best Overall
DIRECTV includes Monumental Sports Network, as well as most national channels you’ll need to watch the Mystics. It doesn’t include NBCSN or the streamers.
Exclusive Games
Two Mystics games are scheduled to stream on Prime Video during the 2026 regular season. If the Mystics advance to the Commissioner’s Cup Championship, that game will stream on Prime Video as well.
Out-of-Market Coverage
If you’re not within the team’s home broadcast territory, you can watch the Mystics with WNBA League Pass for live and on-demand games.
Watch the Mystics with a free trial
If you only want to tune in for a specific Washington Mystics game, a free live TV streaming trial is your best play. DIRECTV and YouTube TV both offer free periods for a quick, zero-cost way to stream D.C. hoops. The Mystics also have a pair of late-season exclusives on Amazon Prime Video, which offers a generous 30-day free trial.
| Packages | Price | ABC | ESPN | CBS | NBC | ION | USA Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Five days free, then $84.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM |
| Fubo | Five days free, then $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | ✔ | — | View Plans for FuboTV |
| YouTube TV | Varies, then $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for YouTube TV |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Get tickets to see the Mystics!
Buy Washington Mystics tickets through our partner, StubHub—your source for the best deals on Mystics games and more.
How to watch the Washington Mystics FAQ
What channel are the Washington Mystics on?
You can watch in-market Mystics games on Monumental Sports Network or Monumental+. For games on national TV, you'll mostly need access to ION and a few others, as the Mystics won't air nationally much in 2026.
Can I stream Mystics games without cable?
Yes, you can stream plenty of in-market Mystics games with a Monumental+ subscription. DIRECTV is a great streaming option for local and national coverage. You can also stream a handful of games on Peacock Premium and Amazon Prime Video.
Can I watch the Washington Mystics for free?
There won't be many opportunities to watch the Mystics for free in 2026. You can watch the 10 games on ION for free online or with an over-the-air antenna. Free trials from live TV streaming services and Prime Video are also available to check out.
Who are the Mystics TV announcers?
Dorian Craft is the new play-by-play announcer of the Washington Mystics. Christy Winters Scott returns as the team's color analyst. Juliana Morgan will be the team's new sideline reporter.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Staff Writer, Alex Vejar, investigated the local TV rights and national streaming schedule for the Washington Mystics. Alex then evaluated the channel offerings of every major cable, satellite, and live TV streaming platform to find the best ways to tune in. He compiled these verified provider recommendations so Mystics fans can easily secure the best TV plan this season.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
