It’s draft season in the WNBA. As anticipation builds for the upcoming season, teams are gearing up to select the next generation of basketball talent. Possible draftees range from headline-stealing college phenoms to international wunderkinder.
Fortunately for basketball fans, the WNBA Draft is easily accessible if you have a TV plan that includes ESPN. But no worries if you don’t. This guide covers the best ways to watch the 2026 draft on TV, with top TV provider recommendations, streaming options, and free trial tips to help you tune in without missing a moment.
What time is the 2026 WNBA Draft?
The 2026 WNBA Draft will occur on Monday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. ET. It will also function as the expansion draft for the two new teams in the league—the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.
What channel shows the WNBA Draft?
ESPN will show all three rounds of the WNBA Draft and the pre-draft WNBA Countdown show starting at 7:00 p.m. ET on April 13, 2025.
Pro tip: WNBA fans in Canada can watch draft coverage on TSN.
What is the 2026 WNBA draft order?
The WNBA Draft will start with the Dallas Wings on the clock for the second straight year. The Wings selected UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers in the 2025 draft.
Here’s a quick look at this year’s first-round WNBA draft order as we approach the big day.
2026 WNBA draft order
| Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas Wings |
| 2 | Minnesota Lynx (from Chicago Sky) |
| 3 | Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles Sparks) |
| 4 | Washington Mystics |
| 5 | Chicago Sky (from Connecticut Sun) |
| 6 | Toronto Tempo |
| 7 | Portland Fire |
| 8 | Golden State Valkyries |
| 9 | Washington Mystics (from Seattle Storm) |
| 10 | Indiana Fever |
| 11 | Washington Mystics (from New York Liberty via Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun) |
| 12 | Connecticut Sun (from Phoenix Mercury via Chicago Sky) |
| 13 | Atlanta Dream |
| 14 | Seattle Storm (from Las Vegas Aces) |
| 15 | Connecticut Sun (from Minnesota Lynx via Washington Mystics) |
Data effective as of post date.
Best WNBA Draft TV plans
YouTube TV is our favorite TV provider for watching the WNBA, and that’s no different for the WNBA Draft. For $82.99/mo., you’ll get ESPN alongside every core WNBA channel and the option to add WNBA League Pass to your plan. That’s particularly crucial for out-of-market fans who want the most coverage during the 2026 season, which tips off on May 8.
Of course, if you don’t want a full-on TV plan for watching the draft, you can sign up for a seven-day free trial of Fubo. Otherwise, Sling TV offers the cheapest route for getting ESPN. Its Sling Orange plan ($45.99/mo.) includes ESPN and ESPN2.
Which TV providers show the WNBA Draft?
Most TV providers show the WNBA Draft because ESPN is a widely available channel. Check out our table below to see which popular services offer the sports network.
| Provider | Type | Price | ESPN | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
YouTube TV Best WNBA coverage |
Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
|
Fubo Best free trial |
Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
|
Sling TV Cheapest ESPN TV plan |
Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Cox | Cable | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV | Streaming | $94.99–$179.98/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Frndly TV | Streaming | $6.99–$11.99/mo. | — |
View Plans for Frndly TV Read Frndly TV review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $33.00/mo. | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $55.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
How to watch the WNBA Draft for free
The only legal way to watch the WNBA Draft for free is by signing up for a live TV streaming trial. Fubo offers a robust seven-day free trial that includes ESPN and its sister networks. But if you also want TNT Sports channels for the fast-approaching NBA Playoffs, you’ll want to explore trials from DIRECTV and YouTube TV.
How to watch the WNBA Draft FAQ
Can you watch the WNBA Draft without cable?
Yes, you can watch the WNBA Draft on any live TV streaming service that offers ESPN. We recommend YouTube TV because it sets you up nicely for WNBA regular-season coverage.
Who has the first pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft?
The Dallas Wings have the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft for the second consecutive season.
What time is the WNBA Draft Lottery?
The 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery took place on November 23, 2025. Televised on ESPN, the lottery revealed the initial top five draft spots—featuring the five teams that missed the 2024 playoffs.
Does the WNBA have a draft combine?
No, the WNBA doesn’t host a draft combine for teams to evaluate top college prospects. Teams must rely on scouting domestic players during the college basketball season and the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched WNBA Draft broadcast details and compared top TV providers to determine the best ways to tune in. He based his viewing recommendations on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use. With the draft preceding the WNBA regular season, he also factored additional league coverage into our recommendations.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
