The WNBA has released its 2022 schedule which will feature a record high 36 games per team this year. The 26th season will tip off on May 6th and run through August 14th. The league also previously announced sweeping changes to its playoff format which will kick off following the conclusion of the regular season in mid August.
While the broadcast schedule has yet to be announced, fans can expect to see all 12 teams in action on opening weekend. The Mystics will take on the Fever in the first game of the year at 7pm ET followed by the reigning champion Chicago Sky taking on Candace Parker’s former team the Los Angeles Sparks at 8pm ET.
In a statement posted to the WNBA website, commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated “Coming off our historic 25th season when the WNBA enjoyed its most-watched season since 2008 and set records for merchandise sales and engagement across social media platforms, we are looking forward to what is already a highly anticipated tip off of the 2022 season in May. The 36-game schedule will provide fans greater opportunities to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level and year two of the Commissioner’s Cup brings added incentive to the first half of the season for players and teams while offering fans conference rivalry competition through which to support their favorite teams.”
Other key dates announced Thursday were the second edition of the Commissioner’s Cup which will see the finals take place on July 26th, and the WNBA All-Star game slated for July 10th 2022. Furthermore, the league indicated that the window for teams to begin negotiating with free agents will open on January 15th, with February 1st being the first day players are eligible to sign new contracts.
For a full rundown of the WNBA’s 2022 schedule click here.