WNBA free agency dates announced for 2026 season
WNBA free agency dates announced for 2026 season
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY Mon, April 6, 2026 at 3:16 AM UTC
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WNBA free agency is starting sooner rather than later as the march towards the 2026 season continues.
On Sunday, the league announced dates for WNBA free agency, which will unfold over the course of the next week. Due to a delayed CBA agreement, which wasn't agreed to in principle until March 18, free agency isn't beginning as it typically would in January.
The WNBA's free agency period will open Monday, April 6, with the start of the designation period, which will continue until April 7. Qualifying offers and core player designations will be sent during the two-day window.
The negotiation period will begin on Wednesday, April 8, continuing for three days. Following the negotiation period, teams and players will be able to sign new contracts on Saturday, April 11.
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Two days after free agency ends on April 11, the WNBA will hold the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York on April 13.
Training camp begins on April 19, with the WNBA preseason starting on Saturday, April 25, with a matchup between the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty.
The 2026 WNBA season begins on Friday, May 8, as the Connecticut Sun and Liberty open play for the league's 30th season at 7:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in New York.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA free agency and draft dates revealed 2026 season
Source: “AOL Sports”
