As the old saying goes, “There is no rest for the weary.”
That is the case for any women’s college basketball player headed to WNBA. Just over a month after the conclusion of the 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament national championship game, the WNBA season is scheduled to begin.
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That means hardly any offseason for players such as UConn’s Paige Bueckers and South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao, who not only will star in Sunday’s women’s national championship game but who also are among the top projected players in the 2025 WNBA Draft according to For The Win, part of USA TODAY Network.
It will be a historic season for the WNBA, as a new expansion team joins the league and it will see a record number of games.
Here’s what you need to know about when the WNBA season starts, including some key games:
When does the 2025 WNBA season start?
The 2025 WNBA regular season is scheduled to start on Friday, May 16, though the preseason will feature 15 contests from Friday, May 2 through Monday, May 12.
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The 29th season for the league will feature a 44-game schedule for the first time in league history. The regular season tips off with a tripleheader with the Atlanta Dream at the Washington Mystics, the Minnesota Lynx at the Dallas Wings, and the Los Angeles Sparks at the Golden State Valkyries.
The Wings are widely projected to take Bueckers No. 1 overall, so opening night could feature her WNBA debut. It will also be the debut for the Valkyries as a franchise. They are the first expansion team since 2008, and the 13th team in the league.
On the league’s second day on Saturday, May 17, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will take on Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, reigniting their college rivalry. Also on the first Saturday, Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty will begin their quest to repeat as champions against A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces.
Friday, May 16:
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Atlanta Dream at Washington Mystics
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Minnesota Lynx at Dallas Wings
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Los Angeles Sparks at Golden State Valkyries
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Saturday, May 17:
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Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky
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New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces
When is the 2025 WNBA draft?
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Location: The Shed (New York City)
Just eight days after the 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament championship game, the 2025 WNBA draft will be held at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, April 14, at The Shed in New York City.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 WNBA season: When are first games after women’s NCAA Tournament?
