The 2025 WNBA Finals are set for a showdown between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury, which starts on Friday, October 3. After all the excitement and surprises of the playoffs so far, I’m even more hyped than I was at the start.
If you haven’t been watching so far but want to find out how, I’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about watching the 2025 WNBA Playoffs on TV.
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What channels are the WNBA Playoffs on?
The 2025 WNBA Playoffs will air exclusively across the ESPN family of networks: ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. Select matches will also have Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes.
Because all these channels are under the Disney umbrella, the viewing experience is refreshingly simple. I’ve outlined the entire playoff TV schedule in the next section, but if you’d rather get straight to the provider recommendations, you can jump down to my Best TV Plans.
Want radio coverage? You can listen to every WNBA playoff game on SiriusXM NBA Radio (ch. 86). Regional coverage will also air on the radio affiliates of each playoff team.
2025 WNBA Playoffs TV schedule
The road to the WNBA Finals is set. I’ve laid out the complete playoff TV schedule below, from the first-round matchups all the way through a potential Game 7 of the Finals. I’ll be keeping this guide updated with the latest start times and broadcast information as the postseason unfolds.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First Round (Best of 3) |
|||
| Golden State Valkyries at Minnesota Lynx (Game 1) | Sunday, Sept. 14 | 1:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream (Game 1) | Sunday, Sept. 14 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC |
| New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury (Game 1) | Sunday, Sept. 14 | 5:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces (Game 1) | Sunday, Sept. 14 | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Atlanta Dream at Indiana Fever (Game 2) | Tuesday, Sept. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm (Game 2) | Tuesday, Sept. 16 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty (Game 2) | Wednesday, Sept. 17 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Minnesota Lynx at Golden State Valkyries (Game 2) | Wednesday, Sept. 17 | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces (Game 3) | Thursday, Sept. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream (Game 3) | Thursday, Sept. 18 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury (Game 3) | Friday, Sept. 19 | 9:00 p.m. | ESPN2 |
|
Semifinals (Best of 5) |
|||
| Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces (Game 1) | Sunday, Sept. 21 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC |
| Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx (Game 1) | Sunday, Sept. 21 | 5:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx (Game 2) | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces (Game 2) | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Las Vegas Aces at Indiana Fever (Game 3) | Friday, Sept. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury (Game 3) | Friday, Sept. 26 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Las Vegas Aces at Indiana Fever (Game 4) | Sunday, Sept. 28 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC |
| Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury (Game 4) | Sunday, Sept. 28 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces (Game 5) | Tuesday, Sept. 30 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
|
WNBA Finals (Best of 7) |
|||
| Game 1: Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces | Friday, Oct. 3 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 2: Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 3: Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury | Wednesday, Oct. 8 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 4: Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury | Friday, Oct. 10 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 5: Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces* | Sunday, Oct. 12 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 6: Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury* | Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 7: Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces* | Friday, Oct. 17 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN |
Data effective as of post date.
*If necessary.
Best TV plans for the WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs viewing experience will be remarkably uncomplicated this season, as it has been in seasons past. To help you find the ideal TV plan for the postseason, I’ve broken down my two top recommendations. One’s a great new standalone option for dedicated sports fans, while the other’s a fantastic live TV streaming service for those who want a more comprehensive package.
Best standalone option: ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/mo.)
ESPN recently released a direct-to-consumer service that houses all of its affiliated channels, including ESPN2, ESPN+, and several others. Because the WNBA Playoffs will appear on ABC and two ESPN networks, I recommend this service for fans who want to see all the action.
The ESPN Unlimited plan costs $29.99 per month. While that may seem pricey, it’s worth it because it’s a one-stop shop for much more than just the WNBA Playoffs. The service offers a wealth of additional fall sports, including several NBA and NFL games, a ton of college football, and a deep library of original programming and sports documentaries.
Best all-in-one package: YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.)
If you’re looking for a complete cable replacement that will have you set for the entire WNBA Playoffs and more, my top recommendation is YouTube TV. It includes ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 in its base plan, along with over 100 other channels and unlimited DVR storage.
I’ve been using YouTube TV for a couple of WNBA seasons now, and I love it. On top of its robust channel lineup, you get a slick Multiview feature for watching up to four games at once. It’s the perfect setup, especially this time of year when all the major sports leagues start to overlap.
How to watch the WNBA Playoffs for free
While you can’t watch every WNBA Playoff game for free, you can still catch some of the biggest matchups without paying.
Your best truly free option is a digital antenna. Any playoff game that airs on ABC, including some WNBA Finals games, will be available to watch over the air at no cost. It’s a simple one-time purchase that pays off all postseason.
For the games on ESPN and ESPN2, your best strategy is to use a live TV streaming free trial. Services like Fubo and YouTube TV often offer trial periods, giving you short-term access. Just remember to time your sign-up around a big game and cancel before the trial ends.
How to watch the WNBA Playoffs FAQ
How do the WNBA Playoffs work?
The WNBA features an eight-team bracket with the league’s best teams based on their regular-season record. The first-round games are played on a best-of-three series, while the semifinal is a best-of-five. Starting in 2025, the WNBA Finals will be a best-of-seven series.
When do the WNBA Playoffs start?
The 2025 WNBA Playoffs start on Sunday, September 14.
Can I stream the WNBA Playoffs?
Yes. The best way to stream the WNBA Playoffs is by subscribing to the ESPN direct-to-consumer service. It's just $29.99 per month and includes ESPN's entire library of channels. Games on ABC will be simulcast on ESPN.
How can I watch the WNBA Playoffs if I live outside the US?
The best way to watch the WNBA Playoffs from outside the U.S. is with WNBA League Pass. The international version of the service typically streams all playoff games that are not subject to local blackouts in your specific country.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com senior writer, Eric Chiu, conducted thorough research on the WNBA postseason schedule, and put together a comprehensive list of matchups and channel listings. Utilizing that data, he compared popular TV providers to determine the most efficient way to watch the most games for hardcore and casual fans alike.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
