WNBA 2025 season: How to watch women’s basketball games live online or on TV, including free options

After a record-breaking 2024 and exciting offseason, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is primed to keep the ball dribbling in 2025.

The season kicks off tonight (Friday, May 16, 2025) with three exciting matchups. Here is everything you need to know—as well as some fun facts and history—in order to get up to speed about the new season, including how to stream the games live.

A brief history of the WNBA

The WNBA was not the first professional women’s basketball league. That honor fell to the American Basketball League, which operated from 1996 to 1998. But it is the only one to have the support of the NBA.

The WNBA was founded in 1996 and began balling in 1997, following the popularity of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team at the Summer Olympic Games. Eight teams battled it out on the court, but the Houston Comets prevailed as the first-ever WNBA champions.

What happened during the 2025 WNBA offseason?

Fast-forward to 2024 and the league had 12 teams. This year, it’s expanding to 13, with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries, based out of San Francisco.

The new team on the block will be led by the first Asian American WNBA head coach, Natalie Nakase. Her impressive résumé includes being assistant coach for the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers and the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.

Last season, the Dallas Wings were shut out of the playoffs for the first time since 2020. This year, the organization has made changes, such as adding No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers to the roster. She will be led by new general manager Curt Miller and new head coach Chris Koclanes, who both have high hopes for a comeback.

One cannot talk about the WNBA without mentioning last season’s rookie of the year, Caitlin Clark. Despite coming off a grueling college season, she helped the Indiana Fever reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years and set a new record of 337 assists. Imagine what she might do this year after getting a bit of a rest.

Weekend WNBA schedule and how to stream the games live

Be prepared, fans, as this weekend is going to be jam-packed with layups and three-pointers.

• Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET national: The Minnesota Lynx will face the Dallas Wings.
• Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET local: The Atlanta Dream take on the Washington Mystics.
• Friday, 10 p.m. ET national: The final game of the night has a California theme, with the Golden State Valkyries hosting the Los Angeles Sparks.

All of these games can be viewed on the broadcast TV network Ion, whose full WNBA schedule is on its website.

The station is available in many areas with an over-the-air antenna, or as part of a cable bundle. You can also watch Ion on live-TV streaming services such as Fubo and YouTube TV.

The league also has a subscription-based service, WNBA League Pass.

Saturday brings another triple-header.

• Saturday, 1 p.m ET: The Las Vegas Aces will try to take a bite out of the Big Apple, playing the New York Liberty.
• Saturday, 3 p.m. ET: Following that, things get hot and windy with the Chicago Sky challenging the Indiana Fever.
• Saturday, 10 p.m. ET: To end the day, the Seattle Storm will face off against the Phoenix Mercury.

The first two Saturday games can be viewed on ABC, ESPN+, and Disney+, while the last one can only be watched on WNBA League Pass.

Sunday will bring two more chances to see nothing but net.

• Sunday, 1 p.m. ET: In the afternoon, the Washington Mystics take on the Connecticut Sun.
• Sunday, 6 p.m. ET: In the evening, the Minnesota Lynx face the L.A. Sparks.

Both games can be viewed on WNBA League Pass.

How can I stream the rest of the WNBA season?

This weekend is just the beginning of 175 regular-season games. These feats of athleticism will be available to watch across multiple networks and streaming services: ABC, ESPN, CBS, CBS Sports Network, Ion, NBA TV, Prime Video, and WNBA League Pass.

There’s so much basketball to look forward to. The All-Star Game comes around on July 19. The playoffs begin on September 14, with the finals following in October. To plan accordingly, you can see the full WNBA schedule here.