How to Watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs on DIRECTV: Schedule, Channels and Times
The 2026 WNBA playoffs are already delivering upsets, and October is when the stakes climb. The first round wraps up Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2, the best-of-five semifinals tip off Sunday, October 4, and the best-of-seven WNBA Finals start Saturday, October 17. Games are split between the ESPN family (ABC, ESPN and ESPN2), NBC Sports (NBC, USA Network, CNBC and Peacock) and Prime Video, so the channel changes from night to night.
Here is where every series stands, the full October schedule and exactly which DIRECTV channels you need.
Where the first round stands
The top eight teams made the field, seeded by regular-season record. First-round series are best-of-three, with the higher seed hosting Games 1 and 3. As of Wednesday afternoon, September 30:
- No. 8 New York Liberty def. No. 1 Minnesota Lynx, 2-0. New York won 91-75 in Minnesota and 87-71 in Brooklyn, becoming the first No. 8 seed in league history to knock out a No. 1 seed.
- No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever, tied 1-1. The defending champion Aces won Game 1 102-85, and the Fever answered 99-89 at home. Game 3 is Thursday in Las Vegas.
- No. 4 Atlanta Dream lead No. 5 Washington Mystics, 1-0. Atlanta won Game 1 92-77. Game 2 is Wednesday night in Washington.
- No. 2 Golden State Valkyries lead No. 7 Dallas Wings, 1-0. Golden State won Game 1 104-80. Game 2 is Wednesday night in Dallas.
First-round schedule and TV channels
All times Eastern.
| Date | Game | Time | TV / streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed., Sept. 30 | Dream at Mystics, Game 2 | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Wed., Sept. 30 | Valkyries at Wings, Game 2 | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
| Thu., Oct. 1 | Fever at Aces, Game 3 | 9 p.m. | USA Network and CNBC |
| Fri., Oct. 2 | Mystics at Dream, Game 3 (if necessary) | TBD | ESPN2 or Prime Video |
| Fri., Oct. 2 | Wings at Valkyries, Game 3 (if necessary) | TBD | ESPN2 or Prime Video |
The league's schedule sets aside one ESPN2 window and one Prime Video window for Friday's possible Game 3s. Tip times and which game lands where will be confirmed once Wednesday's results are in.
Semifinal matchups
The bracket is fixed, so there is no reseeding:
- New York Liberty vs. the Atlanta-Washington winner
- Golden State-Dallas winner vs. Las Vegas-Indiana winner
Semifinals are best-of-five in a 2-2-1 format, with the better seed hosting Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, Game 5.
Semifinal schedule and TV channels
One semifinal airs on the ESPN side and the other on the NBC side. Which series goes where, and tip times, have not been announced yet.
| Date | Game | ESPN-side series | NBC-side series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., Oct. 4 | Game 1 | ABC | NBC and Peacock |
| Wed., Oct. 7 | Game 2 | ESPN | Peacock and NBCSN |
| Fri., Oct. 9 | Game 3 | ESPN2 | Peacock and NBCSN |
| Sun., Oct. 11 | Game 4 (if necessary) | ABC | NBC and Peacock |
| Wed., Oct. 14 | Game 5 (if necessary) | ESPN | Peacock and NBCSN |
2026 WNBA Finals schedule
The Finals are best-of-seven (2-2-1-1-1), with the better seed hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. Every Finals game is on NBC or USA Network and streams on Peacock. All times Eastern.
| Date | Game | Time | TV / streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Oct. 17 | Game 1 | 3:30 p.m. | NBC and Peacock |
| Mon., Oct. 19 | Game 2 | 8 p.m. | USA Network and Peacock |
| Thu., Oct. 22 | Game 3 | 8 p.m. | USA Network and Peacock |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | Game 4 | 3:30 p.m. | NBC and Peacock |
| Mon., Oct. 26 | Game 5 (if necessary) | 8 p.m. | USA Network and Peacock |
| Thu., Oct. 29 | Game 6 (if necessary) | 8 p.m. | USA Network and Peacock |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | Game 7 (if necessary) | 8 p.m. | USA Network and Peacock |
WNBA playoff channels on DIRECTV
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Included starting with |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 206 | ENTERTAINMENT |
| ESPN2 | 209 | ENTERTAINMENT |
| USA Network | 242 | ENTERTAINMENT |
| CNBC | 355 | ENTERTAINMENT |
| ABC | Local channel (varies by market) | All packages, where available |
| NBC | Local channel (varies by market) | All packages, where available |
| NBCSN | Not carried | Stream those games on Peacock |
Channel numbers above are for DIRECTV satellite. On DIRECTV streaming, find channels by name in the guide. For more detail, see what channel USA Network is on DIRECTV and what channel ESPN2 is on DIRECTV.
How to watch on DIRECTV
Games on ABC and NBC
The biggest weekend games, including semifinal Game 1s on Sunday, October 4 and Saturday Finals games, air on your local ABC or NBC station. DIRECTV includes local channels in every satellite package where available, and DIRECTV Signature streaming packages include locals where available too.
Games on ESPN, ESPN2, USA Network and CNBC
ESPN (206), ESPN2 (209), USA Network (242) and CNBC (355) are all part of the ENTERTAINMENT package and up, so every major DIRECTV satellite package covers the cable-network playoff games. Watching away from the couch? Eligible DIRECTV plans include ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost: satellite packages with ESPN, the MySports Genre Pack and Signature on a Gemini device. Turn it on in your DIRECTV account, then sign in to the ESPN app to stream the ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 playoff games on your phone or tablet.
Games on Peacock and NBCSN
Semifinal Games 2, 3 and 5 on the NBC side stream on Peacock and air on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN). NBCSN is not in DIRECTV's lineup right now, so Peacock is the way to watch those games. Peacock also streams every game that airs on NBC, plus every Finals game. It takes a separate subscription, and DIRECTV lets you add Peacock Premium through your DIRECTV account.
Games on Prime Video
If a Friday Game 3 lands in the Prime Video window, you will need a Prime membership to watch. The Prime Video app is available on DIRECTV Gemini devices, so you can switch between live TV and the game without changing inputs.
Want to make sure ABC and NBC come in at your address before tip-off? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Which DIRECTV plan is best for the WNBA playoffs?
- Satellite: ENTERTAINMENT covers ABC and NBC locals where available, plus ESPN, ESPN2, USA Network and CNBC. That is every TV channel in this year's postseason that DIRECTV carries.
- Streaming, sports only: the MySports Genre Pack focuses on sports channels and includes ESPN Unlimited.
- Complete coverage: pair your DIRECTV package with Peacock for the NBCSN simulcasts. Add Prime Video only if a Friday Game 3 you care about ends up there.
- Compare packages: our DIRECTV channels, plans and pricing guide breaks down what each tier includes.
Catching up on past title runs? Revisit our 2025 WNBA Finals viewing guide and 2024 WNBA playoffs guide.
Compare DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884 to get set up before the semifinals.
Frequently asked questions
When do the 2026 WNBA semifinals start?
The semifinals start Sunday, October 4, 2026, with Game 1s on ABC and on NBC and Peacock. Games 4 and 5, if necessary, are October 11 and October 14.
What channel are the WNBA playoffs on DIRECTV?
Games air on ESPN (206), ESPN2 (209), USA Network (242), CNBC (355) and your local ABC and NBC stations. Some games stream only on Peacock or Prime Video.
What channel is Fever vs. Aces Game 3 on?
Game 3 is Thursday, October 1 at 9 p.m. ET on USA Network (DIRECTV channel 242) and CNBC (channel 355).
When are the 2026 WNBA Finals?
The Finals start Saturday, October 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock and could run through Saturday, October 31. Games are on NBC or USA Network, and every game streams on Peacock.
Can I watch NBCSN on DIRECTV?
No. NBCSN is not in DIRECTV's lineup right now. The semifinal games simulcast on NBCSN also stream on Peacock.
Are any playoff games on CBS or ION?
No. The league's postseason schedule lists games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, NBC, USA Network, CNBC, Peacock, NBCSN and Prime Video only.
Playoff questions? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed September 30, 2026. Semifinal matchups, network assignments and tip times, plus any "if necessary" games, depend on series results and are subject to change. Channel lineups, carriage and package prices may change. WNBA, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.