WNBA Playoffs 2025: Full schedule, format, Teams, and how to watch the historic postseason

The stage is set for the WNBA Playoffs 2025, which promise to be the most extensive postseason in the league’s 29-year history. Beginning on Sunday, September 14, fans can look forward to a day-long quadruple-header, tipping off at 1 p.m. ET and continuing until late evening.

This year’s playoffs carry extra significance as they include the first-ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals, marking a new era for women’s basketball in the United States, as per a report by NBC Sports.

WNBA New Playoff Structure

Since 2022, the WNBA has followed a revamped postseason structure. Unlike the earlier format, which offered first-round byes and featured single-elimination games, the current system ensures every round is contested as a series. The 2025 edition will feature three rounds: the First Round, Semifinals, and Finals.


The top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify directly based on overall standings. The series format not only guarantees more games but also increases competitive intensity, making each matchup critical for championship aspirations.

Teams in the 2025 Playoffs

The playoff bracket has now been finalized following a tightly contested regular season. The Minnesota Lynx (34-10) enter as the top seed, while the Las Vegas Aces (30-14) secure the No. 2 spot after winning a key tiebreaker against the Atlanta Dream (30-14). The other qualifiers include the Phoenix Mercury (27-17), New York Liberty (27-17), Indiana Fever (24-20), Seattle Storm (23-21), and Golden State Valkyries (23-21).

Tiebreakers played a decisive role. The Storm clinched the No. 7 seed after a narrow 74-73 win earlier in the week, while the Valkyries slipped to No. 8. The Fever, meanwhile, edged into the No. 6 seed after a decisive final-day performance.

WNBA First Round Matchups

The first round, beginning September 14, promises exciting contests:

• No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 Golden State Valkyries
  
• No. 2 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 7 Seattle Storm
  
• No. 3 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
  
• No. 4 Phoenix Mercury vs. No. 5 New York Liberty
  

Winners from these matchups will advance to the Semifinals, starting September 21.

Historic Best-of-Seven Finals

The WNBA Finals 2025 will make history as the first in the league to adopt a best-of-seven series format. Scheduled to begin on October 3, the Finals could run until October 17 if all seven games are required. This move brings the WNBA Finals in line with traditional championship structures seen in the NBA and other professional leagues, providing fans with extended drama and showcasing players’ endurance at the highest level.

Home-Court Advantage Explained

Home-court advantage will be decided by regular season records. In the opening round, the top four seeds hold this benefit. The semifinals follow a 2-2-1 format, while the Finals adopt a 2-2-1-1-1 sequence. This ensures the higher-seeded teams host the crucial opening games and, if necessary, decisive matches.

Complete Schedule

• First Round: September 14–19
  
• Semifinals: September 21–30
  
• WNBA Finals: October 3–17
  

Games will be broadcast across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and ESPNU, ensuring comprehensive coverage for fans worldwide.

Additional Rules

• Coaches’ Challenges: Teams may use up to two challenges per game, retaining the right only if successful.
  
• Overtime Format: Each overtime period will last five minutes, with two timeouts per team. Reset timeouts will continue to apply in the final minutes.
  

FAQs

When do the WNBA Playoffs 2025 start and end?

The playoffs begin on September 14, 2025, and will conclude with the WNBA Finals on or before October 17, 2025, depending on how many games the Finals require.

What is different about the WNBA Playoffs 2025 compared to previous years?

For the first time, the WNBA Finals will be played as a best-of-seven series, making it the longest postseason in league history.