Who is playing in the 2026 WNBA Semifinals? Teams, Bracket, Playoffs Schedule, Scores, Date, Times, TV
The WNBA Wild Card Series is culminating the Playoffs first round matchups, as the One Series for the WNBA Semifinals has been confirmed.
The No. 4-seeded Atlanta Dream and No. 8 New York Liberty will meet in the semifinals of the 2026 WNBA playoffs after both teams recorded a first-round sweep.
The Dream won two of three regular-season matchups against the Liberty, with both victories coming just last week.
Atlanta closed out its regular season with two straight double-digit victories in Brooklyn. New York beat Atlanta on the road back in June.
When does the WNBA semifinals start?
WNBA Playoff Bracket: Both semifinal series will tip off Sunday, October. 4, 2026.
How does the WNBA semifinals format work?
Following a best-of-three format in Round 1, the semifinals feature best-of-five series. The higher seed gets home-court advantage in Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 5.
Who is playing in the 2026 WNBA Semifinals, Teams?
New York Liberty: Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart scored 21 points apiece as the Liberty stunned the Lynx 87-71 to become the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in WNBA playoff history.
The Atlanta Dream has reached in the wnba semifinals for the first time since 2018 after bouncing the young No. 5 Washington Mystics via victories by 15 and 18 points. The Dream, led by Angel Reese, Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, are seeking their first Finals appearance since 2013 and first-ever championship.
No. 2 Golden State Valkyries: Defeated the Dallas Wings 2–1. In a dramatic, winner-take-all Game 3, the Valkyries pulled off a historic 16-point second-half comeback to win 77–73. Gabby Williams willed the team back, scoring 17 of her 19 points, Veronica Burton added 16PTS, 10 RBs to seal the first series win in franchise history.
No. 3 Las Vegas Aces: Defeated the Indiana Fever 2–1. After blowing out the Fever in Game 1 and dropping Game 2, the defending champions took care of business in the decisive Game 3 with a 94–83 victory. Four-time league MVP A'ja Wilson putting up a masterclass 36 points and 10 rebounds.
2026 WNBA playoffs semifinal bracket, matchups
No. 8 Liberty vs. No. 4 Dream
No. 2 Valkyries vs. No. 3 Aces
The Dream-Liberty matchup is locked in. The other series will feature the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries will face the No. 3 Las Vegas Aces. Both first-round series are headed to a decisive Game 3.
When was the last time WNBA semifinals teams reached the Last four?
The Atlanta last reached the semifinals 8 years ago, in 2018. Dream fell to the Washington Mystics in a hard-fought five-game postseason series.
The Liberty last made the semifinals 2 years ago, in 2024. New York actually went on to win the franchise's first-ever WNBA championship that same year. This year marks their third semifinal appearance in the last four seasons.
Golden State Valkyries: As a newly formed expansion franchise playing in just their second season, they were swept in the first round during their 2025 debut. This marks their first-ever trip to the WNBA semifinals.
Las Vegas Aces: The powerhouse Aces have reached the WNBA semifinals for an incredible eighth consecutive season, maintaining a streak that dates all the way back to 2019.
2026 WNBA Semifinals Schedule, Scores, Matchups, Date Times, TV, How to watch every game
All Times ET.
Here's a look at the full wnba semifinal schedule:
Sunday, Oct. 4
Liberty at Dream, Game 1 — 2 p.m. ET, ABC
Aces at Valkyries, Game 1 — 4 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Liberty at Dream, Game 2 — 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Aces at Valkyries, Game 2 — 9:30 p.m. ET, Peacock and NBCSN
Friday, Oct. 9
Dream at Liberty, Game 3 — 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN 2
Valkyries at Aces, Game 3 — 9:30 p.m. ET, Peacock and NBCSN
Sunday, Oct. 11
Dream at Liberty, Game 4 (if necessary) — time TBD, ABC
Valkyries at Aces, Game 4 (if necessary) — time TBD, NBC and Peacock
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Liberty at Dream, Game 5 (if necessary) — time TBD, ESPN
Aces at Valkyries, Game 5 (if necessary) — time TBD, Peacock and NBCSN...
When are the 2026 WNBA Finals? Full Dates, Schedule, Times, TV, How to watch
The WNBA Finals are slated to begin Saturday, Oct. 17. Games will air across NBC, Peacock and USA Network.
Here's a look at the full schedule:
Game 1: Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Game 2: Oct. 19, 8 p.m. ET, Peacock and USA Network
Game 3: Oct. 22, 8 p.m. ET, Peacock and USA Network
Game 4: Oct. 24, 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Game 5 (if necessary): Oct. 26, 8 p.m. ET, Peacock and USA Network
Game 6 (if necessary): Oct. 29, 8 p.m. ET, Peacock and USA Network
Game 7 (if necessary): Oct. 31, 8 p.m. ET, Peacock and USA Network..
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