The future of the WNBA is about to be written. This Monday night, the league's brightest young stars will take the next monumental step in their basketball journeys at the 2026 WNBA Draft. Held at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City, this is your front-row ticket to watch history unfold as top prospects like UConn's Azzi Fudd, TCU's Olivia Miles, and UCLA's Lauren Betts officially join the professional ranks.
Adding to the excitement, this draft marks a new era with the inclusion of the league's two expansion franchises: the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. They'll be building their inaugural rosters from the ground up, making every pick crucial. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will be on the ESPN broadcast to announce the selections, starting with the Dallas Wings holding the coveted first overall pick.
Don't miss a moment of the action. The main event begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, but the festivities start earlier. Tune into ESPN2 at 5:30 p.m. ET for the WNBA Orange Carpet Special to see the prospects arrive in style, followed by the WNBA Countdown Presented by Google on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. ET for expert analysis and last-minute predictions.
To stream the draft live, you can watch on ESPN Unlimited. The broadcast will also be available through live TV streaming services like DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV. Whether you're a die-hard fan of a specific team or just love the game, this is the night where new legends begin their stories. Grab your gear, get comfortable, and get ready to welcome the next generation of WNBA talent.