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Wondering how to watch the WNBA games live this season? You’re far from alone. With the huge surge in the popularity of women’s basketball, plenty of people are expecting to be tuning into the 28th season of the WNBA, which kicks off May 14.
While this season feels especially charged, the players of the WNBA have been making history since the league’s inception. Let’s recall: The sound of the 1999 crowd as Teresa Weatherspoon, former New York Liberty players’ threw up an iconic half-court shot. The 2002 moment when Lisa Leslie, legendary, ex-Los Angeles Sparks center became the first woman to dunk in a professional game. Or what about when Chiney Ogwumike signed a 2020 contract to become the first Black woman and WNBA player to host a national radio show for ESPN? The following year, every home game for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream was called by a broadcast team of Black women, a first in the franchise’s history.
The 28th season of the WNBA is gearing up to be just as momentous as these foundational events.
Coming off a successful NCAA women’s March Madness tournament, the league welcomes top-notch draft picks like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and Cameron Brink — several of whom have landmark endorsements and partnerships (e.g. Caitlin Clark’s $28 million dollar deal with Nike or Angel Reese becoming the first NCAA female to sign a beauty deal that lead to the WNBA’s first official beauty partnership with hair-care brand Mielle). WNBA ticket sales have skyrocketed since the 2024 draft picks were announced. In fact, ticket sales are so high, that some WNBA teams are moving games to larger arenas to accommodate.
Not to mention, the WNBA is coming off a record-breaking 2023 season with 36 million total unique viewers across all national networks, the highest since 2008, with existing powerhouses like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kelsey Plum garnering dedicated fandoms of their own. And after winning the last two championships, the Las Vegas Aces are on a quest to get a three-peat.
Ultimately, the talent is bottomless and the energy is there. There’s never been a more exciting time to watch women’s sports. Ready to tune in? Ahead, here’s what to know about the WNBA 2024 season, including the opening night game schedule, how to watch the WNBA games, and where to get tickets.
WNBA 2024 Opening Night
The WNBA regular season starts on May 14, with each of the 12 teams playing 40 games throughout the season. Opening night will showcase four games:
- New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics: 7 p.m. on ESPN3
- Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+, Disney+, ESPN Deportes
- Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces: 10 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+, Disney+, ESPN Deportes
- Minnesota Lynx vs. Seattle Storm: 10 p.m. on ESPN3
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For the WNBA tip-off presented by CarMax on May 14, coverage will include multiple camera angles, including below and above the rim cam viewing options, RF handheld cameras, and player mics — all features that the NBA is privy to and a main component of what makes a game exciting.
Tickets to attend an opening night game or any of the 2024 season games can be purchased directly through the WNBA’s website.
How to Watch the 2024 WNBA Season
Live games and expert commentary for the rest of the 2024 WNBA season will be available on several cable and/or streaming networks, from ESPN to Sling TV — and we have a breakdown of how to watch, below.
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Also worth noting: throughout the season, NBA Today on ESPN will showcase exclusive breakdowns and commentary from Ogwumike and Andraya Carter, as well as a “WNBA Today” cable program that will highlight key WNBA stories, with live interviews and reports.
You can also catch the biggest news, stats, and headlines across WNBA Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, and X accounts.
To watch live games, we’ve listed both cable and streaming options below.
Watch With Cable
To watch the games live with cable, simply tune into ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3, ABC, CBS, ION Television, and/or NBA TV.
Watch Without Cable
If you do not have cable, there are streaming options for you as well:
- Fubo ($8 a month): The sports-centric streaming service offers access to ESPN, ABC, CBS, NBA TV and ION. You can start a seven-day free trial and begin a $8 basic package per month when your trial is up.
- Sling TV ($35 and up): To watch the WNBA games, you’ll need to opt into the orange + blue tier subscription, plus the Sling sports extra package, which includes NBA TV. The package will cost you $35 for the first month, and $60 every month after.
- Hulu ($77 a month): With the Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle, you can watch the games that are airing on CBS, ABC and ESPN. The bundle includes 95 channels and is priced at $77 a month after the free three-day trial.
- WNBA League Pass ($13 a month): At $35 a year or $13 a month, The W’s own League Pass lets you stay up to date on the most anticipated games. That said, certain nationally televised games won’t be available live via League Pass, though you may be able to watch them on demand later.
- Disney+ ($8 a month): Two of the four May 14 games — Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever debut against the Connecticut Sun, and Las Vegas Aces vs. the Phoenix Mercury — will be streamed on Disney+, and you’ll be able to watch some future WNBA games with a Disney+ and Hulu/ESPN+ bundle, from $15 and up a month.
- Paramount+ ($6 a month): Paramount+ can be purchased for $6 a month with ads and $12 without and will give you access to eight WNBA games airing on CBS.
- Prime Video ($9 a month): Featuring 21 games (starting with Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty on May 16), new subscribers can opt for the free 30-day trial or the $9 monthly membership.
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Natasha Marsh is a freelance writer who writes about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Prior to freelancing, she held styling staff positions at The Wall Street Journal, Burberry, Cosmopolitan Magazine, British GQ, and Harpers Bazaar.