WNBA All-Star Game prize money, explained: Breaking down how much players earn under new CBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Thanks to the deal struck between the WNBA’s owners and players this past offseason, money is flowing through the league at a much higher rate.
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Plenty of players earned historic contracts for the league after the new CBA was introduced, including some of the first million-dollar deals in WNBA history. Now, the All-Star Game will come with some more financial benefits.
Part of the new CBA was an increase in payouts for All-Star participants and MVPs, giving some of the biggest stars an opportunity to make extra cash.
Here’s a look at the prize money on the line at the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game.
MORE:What WNBA’s new CBA means for player salaries
WNBA All-Star Game prize money
With the new WNBA CBA comes an increase in pay for the All-Stars. Previously, participants in the WNBA All-Star Game received $2,575 just for playing. This year, that has been upgraded to $15,000 for each of the 24 All-Stars.
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Meanwhile, in 2025, the MVP of the All-Star Game received double of the usual total for $5,150. Now, in 2026, the MVP will receive $20,000 for their accomplishment.
Additionally, in 2026, the WNBA is introducing a charity initiative to the All-Star Game focused on benefiting organizations that promote girls in sports. The winning team in the matchup will have $70,000 donated to the organization of their choice, while the runner-up team will have $30,000 donated to the organization of their choice.
“Team Coop” is set to play for Angel Athletics, which “encourages young girls to participate in sports, supporting them in the development of skills and confidence to break down barriers and achieve goals throughout their lives.” The opposing squad, “Team Spoon,” is playing for Girls in the Game, which “partners with schools, parks, and community centers in Chicago to offer sports, health, and leadership programs.”
MORE: Why Texas politician demanded accountability over Caitlin Clark ‘attacks’ in letter to WNBA
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Who won the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game?
Last season, Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark were the two captains of All-Star rosters, selecting their rosters in a draft. In the game, it was Team Collier who claimed the win, 151-131, over Team Clark as Collier herself won MVP honors.
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will be sticking with the captain format, but it has changed its format over the years. In 2024, the WNBA faced off against the USWNT, a nod to the Olympics, where the U.S. won a gold medal.
Here is a look at all of the WNBA All-Star Game results and the game’s MVP.
|
Year |
Result |
MVP |
|
2025 |
Team Collier 151, Team Clark 131 |
Napheesa Collier |
|
2024 |
Team WNBA 117, USWNT 109 |
Arike Ogunbowale |
|
2023 |
Team Stewart 143, Team Wilson 127 |
Jewell Lloyd |
|
2022 |
Team Wilson 134, Team Stewart 112 |
Kelsey Plum |
|
2021 |
Team WNBA 93, Team USA 83 |
Arike Ogunbowale |
|
2019 |
Team Wilson 129, Team Delle Donne 126 |
Erica Wheeler |
|
2018 |
Team Parker 119, Team Delle Donne 112 |
Maya Moore |
|
2017 |
West 130, East 121 |
Maya Moore |
|
2015 |
West 117, East 112 |
Maya Moore |
|
2014 |
East 125, West 124 (OT) |
Shoni Schimmel |
|
2013 |
West 102, East 98 |
Candace Parker |
|
2011 |
East 118, West 113 |
Swin Cash |
|
2009 |
West 130, East 118 |
Swin Cash |
|
2007 |
East 103, West 99 |
Cheryl Ford |
|
2006 |
East 98, West 82 |
Katie Douglas |
|
2005 |
West 122, East 99 |
Sheryl Swoopes |
|
2003 |
West 84, East 75 |
Nikki Teasley |
|
2002 |
West 81, East 76 |
Lisa Leslie |
|
2001 |
West 80, East 72 |
Lisa Leslie |
|
2000 |
West 73, East 61 |
Tina Thompson |
|
1999 |
West 79, East 61 |
Lisa Leslie |
MORE:What to know about Caitlin Clark’s contract, salary
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WNBA All-Star Friday night prize breakdown
There remain two events on Friday Night of WNBA All-Star weekend in 2026: the 3-Point contest and the Skills Competition.
Previously, the WNBA was not paying most of the participants in these events. In order to get prize money, they had to win the event, with previous winners taking home $2,575.
Under the new CBA, that changed. Now, in 2026, participants in the 3-Point Contest receive $10,000, while the winner receives $20,000. For the Skills Competition, participants receive $7,500, and the winner takes home $15,000.
