Las Vegas has become the team everyone else is chasing. The Aces have won three of the last four WNBA championships, including the 2025 title, and another deep run would only strengthen their claim as the league’s defining team of this era. The question now is whether anyone can finally knock them off.
Interest in the postseason has grown alongside that run. The 2025 WNBA postseason averaged 1.2 million viewers across ESPN platforms. In 2026, a new media-rights era has ESPN, NBC Sports, and Amazon Prime Video sharing playoff coverage across traditional TV and streaming. That gives fans more ways to follow the action, but tracking where each game airs takes a little more planning.
Below, we break down how to watch the WNBA Playoffs with the complete TV schedule, streaming options, and our recommended viewing plans. Use this guide to follow every round through the WNBA Finals.
Want more TV sports coverage?
Subscribe to CableTV.com’s email newsletter for the latest event-viewing guides, entertaining takes, and money-saving promotions.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions.
What channels are the WNBA Playoffs on?
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, NBC, NBCSN, and USA Network. Select first-round games will stream on Amazon Prime Video, while Peacock Premium streams NBC and NBCSN playoff games and will also simulstream USA Network’s WNBA Finals coverage.
Following the WNBA Playoffs can get a little complicated with so many channels and streaming platforms in the mix. Our complete TV schedule is below, or you can jump to the Best TV Plans section for our top viewing recommendations.
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 participating team.
2026 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.
Data effective as of post date.
*If necessary.
Best TV plans for the WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs viewing experience can be tricky, since you’ll need multiple channels to watch every game. To help you find the ideal TV plan for the postseason, we’ve broken down our two top recommendations. One’s a fantastic live TV streaming service for those who want a more comprehensive package, while the other will get you streaming exclusives.
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.)
Best Live TV Plan
If you’re looking for a live TV service that covers the WNBA Playoffs’ major broadcast and cable networks, our top recommendation is YouTube TV. It includes ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, NBC, NBCSN, and USA Network in its base plan, along with over 100 other channels and unlimited DVR storage. You’ll only miss out on the playoff coverage exclusive to Prime Video.
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.
Amazon Prime Video ($8.99–$19.98/mo.)
Exclusive Games
Amazon Prime Video is one of the WNBA’s media partners and will carry two exclusive first-round playoff games in 2026. That makes it an important part of the complete postseason viewing setup, especially if your favorite team lands on one of those two broadcasts.
Prime Video is also great for the WNBA in general because several regular-season games stream there, as well as the Commissioner’s Cup Championship game. The service is also home to many other sports throughout the year.
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 or NBC, 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, ESPN2, and USA Network, your best strategy is to use a live TV streaming free trial. The same goes for games on Prime Video. 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.
Notable: Fubo doesn’t offer USA Network.
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 in a best-of-three series, while the semifinal is a best-of-five. The WNBA Finals is a best-of-seven series, which started in 2025.
When do the WNBA Playoffs start?
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs start on Sunday, September 27.
Can I stream the WNBA Playoffs?
Yes. There are multiple ways to stream the WNBA Playoffs. Many games will stream via Amazon Prime Video. Games airing on NBC and NBCSN will stream on Peacock Premium. The best way, though, is to get a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, which will cover games airing on every channel other than Prime Video.
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, originally researched the WNBA postseason schedule and viewing options for this guide, compiling matchup and channel information from official sources. He used that data to compare popular TV and streaming services and identify the most practical ways for casual and hardcore fans to follow the playoffs. Our sports team updates the schedule, channel listings, and recommendations as the postseason unfolds.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
