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The WNBA is in its 30th year, the women’s pro basketball league has seen a lot of changes since its founding year in 1996. The league went from eight to 15 teams with expansion heading to Canada with the Toronto Tempo, as superstars in the “W” are now brighter going from Lisa Leslie and Rebecca Lobo to Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson.
In 2026, the season goes from May until October with a break in August and September for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
At a Glance: Watch the 2026 WNBA Season Live Online
- When: May to October
- TV channels: ABC, ESPN, NBC, NBC Sports, USA Network, ION Television, CBS, CBS Sports Network, NBA TV
- Stream online: DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Fubo, Prime Video, Peacock, Paramount+, ESPN Unlimited, Frndly TV, WNBA League Pass
Keep reading to find out how to watch WNBA games online. Check out a complete 2026 WNBA regular season schedule here.
How to Watch 2026 WNBA Season Without Cable
Although WNBA games broadcast on TV across ABC, ESPN, NBC, NBC Sports, USA Network, ION Television, CBS, CBS Sports Network and NBA TV, games can be streamed on internet-based streaming cable services, like DirecTV, Sling and Hulu + Live TV. Games are also available to livestream on platforms, such as Prime Video, Peacock, Paramount+, ESPN Unlimited, Frndly TV and WNBA League Pass.
Ahead, find out how to watch WNBA games with and without a cable subscription.
EDitor’s Choice
DirecTV
THR’s top choice
Watch the 2026 WNBA games with DirecTV, which carries ABC, ESPN, NBC, NBC Sports, USA Network, ION, CBS and NBA TV, along with more than 90 other channels. Sports fans can watch WNBA games for free with the cable streamer’s five-day trial. Afterwards, you can either cancel the service or keep watching, with signature streaming package prices starting at $84.99 per month for the first 24 months of service ($89.99 per month afterward) for the entry-level “Entertainment” package with the streamer’s current deals.
Sling is one of the most affordable options for new live TV streaming subscribers who want to watch the WNBA games on ABC, ESPN, NBC, USA Network and ION with the Orange + Blue plan with prices starting at $60.99 per month. Meanwhile, NBA TV is available through Sling’s Sports Extra package for an additional $11 per month. The sports package includes NBC Sports, NBA TV, NHL Network, MLB Network, ESPNU and more.
Please note: Prices and channel availability depend on your local TV market.
Hulu + Live TV
Bundled with ESPN Unlimited, Disney+ and Hulu.
To watch ABC, ESPN, NBC, USA Network, CBS and CBS Sports Network online, a subscription to Hulu + Live TV is fantastic option. The streaming service includes Disney+, ESPN Unlimited and access to more than 95 live channels starting at $89.99 per month. In addition to live cable, Hulu + Live TV lets subscribers watch originals from Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited. It includes unlimited cloud DVR, too. Hulu also offers a three-day free trial.
Fubo
At $48.99 for the first month of service, Fubo features WNBA games.
To watch WNBA games on ABC, ESPN, ION, CBS, CBS Sports Network and NBA TV, a subscription to Fubo is a do the trick. The streaming service goes for $48.99 for the first month ($73.99 per month afterward) for the “Pro” plan, which comes with more than 200 channels. You can also record over 1,000 hours of TV shows, movies, games and more. If you want to watch online free, the online TV streaming service offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers.
Prime Video
Starting at $8.99 per month, Prime Video features WNBA games.
In 2026, Prime Video features marquee games throughout the WNBA season. New subscribers can get a free 30-day trial for Prime Video; after that, the standalone streaming service auto-renews at $8.99 per month. Another way to watch the game for free is with a membership to Amazon Prime, which includes access to Prime Video and costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year — a nearly 25 percent savings compared to paying the regular monthly price.
Amazon Prime includes access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Music Prime, as well as fast free shipping on most items sold from the online retailer with Prime Delivery, in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — like Prime Day and Black Friday — and much more.
Peacock
Starting at $10.99 per month, Peacock features WNBA games.
For the 2026 WNBA regular season, Peacock is the home of the WNBA on NBC online. Not a Peacock subscriber? The streamer has an ad-free Peacock Premium package for $10.99 per month (or $109.99 per year). Otherwise, the ad-supported plan is $16.99 per month (or $169.99 per year). Aside from NBA games, you’ll get access to originals such as Wicked: For Good, Ladies of London: The New Reign, The Traitors, Love Island: All Stars and others; live sports and entertainment from NBC Sports; and more than 50 “always-on” streaming channels.
Related: The Best Peacock Streaming Deals
Paramount+
Starting at $8.99 per month, Paramount+ features WNBA games.
Watch WNBA games starting at $8.99 per month for the Paramount+ Essential ad-supported plan. Aside from live sports from NFL, UFC and NCAA March Madness, subscribers can access hundreds of movies and TV series with Paramount+, such as Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mayor of Kingstown, 1883, Special Ops: Lioness and much more.
Although the streaming service doesn’t have a free trial directly, DirecTV is offering three months of Paramount+ for free when you signup for one of its signature packages with a five-day free trial. In fact, you can add up to three months of HBO Max, MGM+, Starz and other premium services at no additional cost.
ESPN Unlimited
Starting at $29.99 per month, ESPN Unlimited features WNBA games.
ESPN Unlimited livestream WNBA games this season, including WNBA Finals. If you’re not a subscriber, you can sign up for ESPN Unlimited starting at $29.99 per month. The streaming service includes all of the sports network’s channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, SEC Network+ and ACC Network Extra, as well as original programming, such as The Pat McAfee Show, 30 For 30 and others.
Frndly TV
Starting at $6.99 per month, Frndly TV features WNBA games on ION Television.
ION Television is available to watch on Frndly TV, which starts at just $6.99 per month. It also has a seven-day free trial available to watch more than 50 networks, like A&E, The Hallmark Channel, History, Lifetime, Vice and others.
How to Watch 2026 WNBA Season With Cable
WNBA games air across ABC, ESPN, NBC, NBC Sports, USA Network, ION Television, CBS, CBS Sports Network and NBA TV. You can watch by tuning in through your cable TV provider, on the networks’ respective websites and mobile apps with your cable TV account login — including streaming and traditional services such as DirecTV, Sling TV, Verizon, Xfinity and others.
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