The WNBA will play 40 games during the 2024 regular season, kicking off on May 14 and including changes to the Commissioner’s Cup format and a break for the Paris Olympics (July 21-Aug. 14). The league's 2024 season marks only the second time for 40 regular-season games, and the Commissioner’s Cup becomes an In-Season Tournament with all games counting towards each team’s win-loss record.

Why It Matters

The 2024 schedule presents an intensified competition with the In-Season Tournament format, and the break for the Paris Olympics impacts the timeframe, requiring a more concentrated season schedule.

By the Numbers
  • Prize pool of $500,000 for the Commissioner’s Cup championship game on June 25, 2024
  • 40 regular-season games for each team for the second consecutive year
State of Play
  • 2024 WNBA regular season starts on May 14 and concludes on Sept. 19
  • Break for the Paris Olympics from July 21 to Aug. 14
  • Three-week Olympic break impacting the season's structure and duration
What's Next

The new In-Season Tournament format and schedule changes may lead to increased excitement and highlight the Cup games in the upcoming WNBA season, with teams adapting to the condensed and intense competition.

Bottom Line

The WNBA's 2024 schedule brings a more intense and focused season, marked by the introduction of the In-Season Tournament, ultimately shaping the landscape of the upcoming season with heightened competition and a briefer timeframe.