The 2026 WNBA Finals kick off this Saturday with the Golden State Valkyries hosting the Atlanta Dream at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Both teams have never won the league title before, ensuring a first-time champion will be crowned this season. Game 1 tips off at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on NBC.
Golden State secured their finals spot by edging out the Las Vegas Aces, who won the championship last year. Atlanta reached the finals after defeating the New York Liberty in the semifinals. The best-of-seven series runs from October 17 to 31, with games alternating between NBC, USA Network, and CNBC.
Games 1 and 4 will air on NBC, while games 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 (if necessary) are scheduled for USA and CNBC. All games will also stream live on Peacock. Fans without cable can watch via live TV platforms including YouTube TV, DirecTV, and Fubo.
The full schedule in Eastern Time is: Game 1 on October 17 at 3:30 p.m., Game 2 on October 19 at 8 p.m., Game 3 on October 22 at 8 p.m., Game 4 on October 24 at 3:30 p.m., Game 5 on October 26 at 8 p.m., Game 6 on October 29 at 8 p.m., and Game 7 on October 31 at 8 p.m. The last three games will only take place if needed.
The Valkyries and Dream each overcame top contenders with prior championship experience, setting up an unusual finals matchup where neither squad has claimed a title. The Chase Center will host the opening game, marking a high-profile home-court advantage for Golden State as they aim for their first WNBA trophy.
NBC’s coverage of the opening game highlights the growing visibility of the women’s league, with the finals broadcast split across multiple major networks throughout the series. Streaming options like Peacock provide additional accessibility for fans worldwide.
The 2026 WNBA Finals will be the first in league history to guarantee a new champion, adding a fresh dynamic to the competition. The Valkyries and Dream will battle over a potential seven games, with momentum shifting as the series moves across venues and networks. Game 1 at the Chase Center will set the tone for what promises to be an intense and closely contested final.
According to Yahoo Sports.