Controversy aside, the The New York Liberty won their first ever WNBA title. However, if you are not a fan of Liberty or Minnesota Lynxyou’ve probably been waiting a long time for the 2025 season to start.
It’s easy to get excited about next year. Not only UConn star Paige Bueckers will probably be the first overall pick in the next draft, but the Golden State Valkyries to debut in 2025 and the next WNBA Finals to expand to best-of-7 series. The regular season could also be extended from 40 games to 44. We are also closer to a year from the introduction of the Toronto and Portland expansion franchises.
Yet, despite all the good news on the horizon, we still have several months before players take the field again. Here’s what we know about the start of the 2025 WNBA season.
WNBA: Players withdraw from CBA, which ends after next season
When does the 2025 WNBA season start?
Although there is no set date at the moment, the league is expected to resume play in May 2025.
When in the past did the league start?
Here are the start dates for each of the last 10 WNBA seasons:
WNBA News: Bad officiating ruined an instant classic WNBA Finals Game 5
When is the 2025 WNBA Draft?
The 2025 WNBA Draft is currently scheduled to take place on Monday, April 14, 2025.
When does the 2025 draft lottery take place?
THE lottery to determine which team will win the first overall pick The 2025 Draft will take place on Sunday, November 17 at 5 p.m. ET.
ESPN will broadcast the lottery after the TCU women’s college basketball game against North Carolina State.
When is the Golden State Valkyries expansion draft?
The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest team, will debut during the 2025 season, but the franchise needs to build a team first. It starts with the expansion draft, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6 on ESPN.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Start of the 2025 WNBA season: lottery and draft will follow the New York parade
