With the collegiate seasons wrapping during the women's Final Four on Friday, March 31 and National Championship on Sunday, April 2, it's time to start preparing for the pros to return.
At the end of the 2022 season, several legends announced their retirement from the WNBA: Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore. Bird spent 19 seasons with the Seattle Storm, while Fowles played seven in Chicago and eight in Minnesota. Moore stepped away to help free a wrongfully incarcerated man after eight seasons in Minnesota.
The question is, who will be their successors? Who will be the next group of greats to define the WNBA as it enters its 27th annual season? Some names are already up there, and some are hopeful to make it in this spring.
Here's your ultimate guide to the 2023 WNBA season, including key dates like draft night, training camp, preseason, first tipoff and more.
When does the WNBA season start for 2023?
- WNBA regular season start date: May 19
- WNBA regular season end date: September 10
The WNBA regular season will tipoff on Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m. ET with Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever and New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics.
Here is the full schedule for opening weekend:
| Date | Matchup (Visitor vs. Home) | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 19 | New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics | 7 p.m. |
| Friday, May 19 | Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever | 7 p.m. |
| Friday, May 19 | Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx | 8 p.m. |
| Friday, May 19 | Phoenix Mercury vs. Los Angeles Sparks | 11 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 20 | Atlanta Dream vs. Dallas Wings | 1 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 20 | Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm | 3 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 21 | Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 21 | Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty | 2 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 21 | Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury | 4 p.m. |
The season will include a record-high of 40 games – each team playing 20 home and 20 away – and stretch for roughly 16 weeks, ending on Sunday, Sept. 10.
The Las Vegas Aces will receive their championship rings and unveil their championship banner when they host the Los Angeles Sparks on May 27 as part of their home opener.
The 11 preseason games will begin on Friday, May 5 at 8 p.m. ET with Washington Mystics vs. Minnesota Lynx.
Key dates for the 2023 WNBA season
- April 10: WNBA Draft
- April 30: Training camp begins
- May 5: Preseason games begin
- May 18: Final roster cutdown
- May 19: Regular season begins
- July 13-17: All-Star Break
- July 15: All-Star Game
- Aug. 7: Trade deadline
- Aug. 15: Commissioner's Cup Championship
- Sept. 10: Regular season ends
- Sept. 13: Playoffs
- Oct. 20: Last possible Finals date