How to Watch the Phoenix Mercury
Can the Mercury win the title after falling just short in 2025?
The Phoenix Mercury reached the WNBA Finals last year, but the offseason brought a major shift: Leading scorer Satou Sabally departed for New York in free agency. Now, the basketball world is watching to see if Phoenix can bounce back and return to the mountaintop.
The Mercury surprised a lot of people last season by winning 27 games after winning a combined 28 across the previous two seasons. Losing Sabally is a big deal, but the team has plenty of other veterans and star players to anchor the rotation.
This guide is for Mercury fans who don’t want to miss a single possession. Keep reading to learn which channels will air Phoenix Mercury games, what TV plans you’ll need, and how to watch games for free.
Where to watch the Phoenix Mercury—local TV breakdown
Arizona’s Family 3TV and Arizona’s Family Sports (AFS) are the local home for Mercury basketball. During the 2026 season, a total of 28 regular-season games will air across these networks. While AFS carries the bulk of the in-market schedule, 11 matchups will air simultaneously on both channels.
Fans living outside Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico, can watch most of the Arizona’s Family broadcasts live on WNBA League Pass.
| Channel | Starting price | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3TV / AFS | — | Most in-market games | Over-the-air antenna, DIRECTV, Cox, DISH, Optimum, Spectrum, Fubo |
| WNBA League Pass | $14.99/mo. | Most out-of-market games | WNBA app, Prime Video Channels |
Where to watch the Phoenix Mercury—national TV breakdown
The Mercury will have a healthy 28 games air on national TV during the 2026 season. These matchups are spread across ABC, CBS, ESPN, ION, and USA Network. Select games will also stream on Peacock Premium and Amazon Prime Video, with the Peacock games also airing on NBC Sports Network.
Keep in mind that several of these national broadcasts will air simultaneously with local coverage on Arizona’s Family. That gives in-market fans multiple ways to tune in, but nationally televised games are blacked out on WNBA League Pass.
| 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 Phoenix Mercury
Local Mercury fans have the unique benefit of being able to watch many games with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna thanks to the team’s deal with Arizona’s Family. But for those who want the most comprehensive setup possible, you’ll need a paid TV plan.
There are plenty to choose from. But I laid out my favorites below, along with some thoughts on why I like them for Mercury basketball.
Best Overall
DIRECTV includes 3TV and AFS, as well as every national channel other than the streamers. This one service will get you access to most Mercury games in 2026.
Exclusive Games
At least four Mercury games will stream on Prime Video during the 2026 season. If the team makes it to the Commissioner’s Cup Championship, that game will also stream on Prime Video.
Out-of-Market Coverage
If you live outside the Mercury’s broadcast territory, you can watch games live and on demand with WNBA League Pass.
Watch the Mercury with a free trial
If you’re feeling decision paralysis with how many TV plans exist, I (hopefully) made it easier for you. The table below lists some of my favorite services that offer free trials.
| Packages | Price | ABC | ESPN | CBS | NBC | ION | USA Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Five days free, then $94.99–$179.98/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 Mercury!
Buy Phoenix Mercury tickets through our partner, StubHub—your source for the best deals on Mercury games and more.
How to watch the Phoenix Mercury FAQ
What channel are the Phoenix Mercury on?
You can watch in-market Mercury games on 3TV and AFS. There will also be games on a slew of national networks like ABC, CBS, ESPN, ION, USA Network, and Amazon Prime Video.
Can I stream Mercury games without cable?
Yes, DIRECTV has a streaming option that will get you most channels airing Mercury games. You can stream select games on Peacock Premium and Prime Video. Also, the Mercury will announce a new standalone streaming platform soon, replacing MERC+.
Can I watch the Phoenix Mercury for free?
You watch games on 3TV and AFS—including those on ABC, CBS, and ION—for free with an OTA antenna for in-market fans. Aside from that, you can use free trials from live TV streaming services or Prime Video.
Who are the Mercury TV announcers?
Ann Schatz is the play-by-play announcer for the Phoenix Mercury, with Ann Meyers Drysdale working as the color analyst. Kate Longworth is the team's sideline reporter.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Staff Writer, Alex Vejar, analyzed the Phoenix Mercury’s entire regular-season TV slate to determine the most effective ways to tune in. He carefully cross-referenced the franchise’s local broadcast agreements with the live TV lineups of top cable, satellite, and streaming services. The resulting guide is designed to help Phoenix sports fans cut through the clutter and find the right provider for their game-day needs.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
