ESPN tips off its coverage of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel

Postseason coverage begins Sunday, Sept. 27, with ABC doubleheader

ESPN will carry select games of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel, tipping off Sunday, September 27. This year's postseason features the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, defending champion Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings and New York Liberty. The postseason follows ESPN's most-watched WNBA regular season ever, with 29 games across ESPN networks averaging 1.37 million viewers, up 17% year-over-year.

ESPN's commentator lineup for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel will be led by Ryan Ruocco, Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo, and veteran reporter Holly Rowe. ESPN's second commentator team will feature play-by-play voice Tiffany Greene, analyst Carolyn Peck and reporter Angel Gray.

ESPN's coverage of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel will include WNBA Countdown Presented by Google Pixel, originating from ESPN's Bristol and Los Angeles studios. Malika Andrews will host alongside Andraya Carter, Chiney Ogwumike and Monica McNutt, with Hannah Storm also hosting two postseason editions of WNBA Countdown.

Action tips off Sunday, Sept. 27, with WNBA Countdown Presented by Google Pixel at 1:30 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming on the ESPN App, followed by a first-round doubleheader. At 2 p.m., Napheesa Collier and the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, the No. 1 seed for the second consecutive year, host Breanna Stewart and the No. 8 New York Liberty in a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals. At 4 p.m., reigning MVP A'ja Wilson and the No. 3 Las Vegas Aces begin their title defense against Caitlin Clark and the No. 6 Indiana Fever. Coverage continues Wednesday, Sept. 30, on ESPN with WNBA Countdown at 6:30 p.m., followed by Allisha Gray and the No. 4 Atlanta Dream visiting Shakira Austin and the No. 5 Washington Mystics at 7 p.m., and Gabby Williams and the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries taking on Paige Bueckers and the No. 7 Dallas Wings at 9 p.m.

ESPN Deportes will once again provide Spanish-language coverage of select first round games along with the entire Semifinals.

Digital

ESPN.com reporters will provide live on-site coverage throughout the playoffs. Before the games tip off, Michael Voepel, Alexa Philippou, Kendra Andrews and Kareem Copeland will preview all eight teams vying for a championship and the first-round matchups, rank the top 25 players in the playoffs and debate the biggest storylines for the rest of the postseason. As teams are eliminated, the group will also update ESPN's offseason guide examining every WNBA squad's biggest priorities for 2027. Katie Barnes and Myron Medcalf will provide additional on-site analysis.

Additional content this postseason will include:

· Predictions for every round of the postseason

· Barnes' profiles of Fever coach Stephanie White and the toughest job in sports, as well as perennial MVP candidate A'ja Wilson

· Medcalf's profile of Rookie of the Year front-runner Olivia Miles

· Andrews' profile of Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell and her career year, all while pursuing a doctorate degree

· Voepel's Way-Too-Early 2026 WNBA Power Rankings, first WNBA mock draft for 2027 and ranking every WNBA champion.

ESPN 2026 WNBA Playoffs Schedule

Date Time (ET) Game Where to Watch

Sun., Sept. 27

1:30 p.m. WNBA Countdown Presented by Google Pixel ABC

2 p.m. New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx ABC, ESPN Deportes

4 p.m. Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces ABC

Wed., Sept. 30

6:30 p.m. WNBA Countdown Presented by Google Pixel ESPN

7 p.m. Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics ESPN, ESPN Deportes

9 p.m. Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings ESPN, ESPN Deportes

Thur., Oct. 1 TBD TBD vs TBD - Game 3 (if nec.) ESPN or ESPN2

Fri., Oct. 2 TBD TBD vs TBD - Game 3 (if nec.) ESPN2

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