The 2026 WNBA season is finally here—and it almost didn't happen. After a tense labor standoff, a new collective bargaining agreement saved the summer, and now it's time to tip off. Our team of experts has you covered with a full season preview, including Jack Maloney's WNBA Player Rankings and complete opening-day rosters for all 15 teams.
At the top of the mountain sits A'ja Wilson, who just added her fourth MVP, third championship, and second Finals MVP to an already legendary résumé. Meanwhile, Fever superstar Caitlin Clark burst onto the scene as a rookie looking ready to challenge Wilson's throne, but her sophomore season hit some turbulence. Clark still lands inside the top five of our rankings—but she has something to prove this year.
This weekend also marks the debut of Angel Reese in a Dream uniform, following her offseason trade from the Sky to Atlanta. According to analyst Lindsay Gibbs, one of the biggest questions entering 2026 is just how quickly Reese can make her mark with her new squad.
Of course, no season preview is complete without predictions. Two of our experts are backing the Aces to go back-to-back once again, and we're giving you an early look at how the bottom of the league might shake out, courtesy of Isabel Gonzalez:
11. Mystics | 12. Valkyries | 13. Tempo | 14. Sun | 15. Fire
But that's not all the basketball news heating up. The NCAA Tournament is getting a major makeover. The Division I men's and women's basketball committees voted Thursday to expand the field from 68 to 76 teams, starting next season. Our team immediately got to work projecting what that first expanded bracket could look like—and the results might surprise you. While many expected mid-major programs to benefit from the extra spots, it's actually the high-major conferences that stand to gain the most, as our own David Cobb explains. Here's a breakdown of the six multi-bid leagues in our projection:
And if you're already thinking about next season's early tournaments, the Players Era Tournament is making waves with a stacked 24-team field, featuring two brackets and millions in prize money.
On the NBA side, the Pistons and Thunder have both grabbed commanding 2-0 series leads in their respective playoff matchups, setting the stage for some must-watch basketball this week.
⛳ And don't forget to tune in for the Truist Champions—golf's finest are teeing it up.