WNBA national TV schedule 2023: Complete list of ABC, ESPN, CBS, Ion TV & Paramount plus games

Sara Tidwell

WNBA national TV schedule 2023: Complete list of ABC, ESPN, CBS, Ion TV & Paramount plus games image

The WNBA has bumped its schedule capacity to 40 games per team this year, and fans of the league will be able to watch a record-high 205 of those games live.

The league partnered with CBS/Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, Ion, NBA TV, Twitter, Amazon Prime Video, Meta Quest, and the ESPN family of networks, including ABC, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPN+.

WNBA League Pass will also provide 150 live games to its subscribers, but local blackouts apply.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert said in a press release:

Providing our passionate, growing fan base with increased opportunities to view WNBA games and related content across traditional as well as streaming and social platforms continues to be a primary focus. And we are doing just that from tip-off weekend in May through our postseason in October as our broadcast and streaming partners continue to offer an enormous national platform for WNBA players and fans. Following an offseason of unprecedented player movement, we are extremely pleased to announce the full 2023 broadcast and streaming schedule, and we’re not done yet as we will continue to look for innovative and creative ways to shape the WNBA fan experience and the landscape of media and content consumption.”

With tip-off set for Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m., The Sporting News went ahead and laid out the complete national TV schedule for the WNBA's 27th annual season.

WNBA national broadcast schedule 2023

All tipoffs listed are in ET, and the full schedule for the season can be viewed on the WNBA website.

Appointment viewing is a new concept the WNBA is trying out this year to raise viewership, synonymous with what other professional leagues like the NFL and NBA have done. According to a press release from the league, this will be done via:

  • Thursdays on Prime
  • Fridays on ION
  • Weekends on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and CBS Television Network

MORE: Watch select WNBA regular season games with Sling TV

Here's the full national TV schedule:

ESPN / ESPN2 / ABC

There will be 25 games split between ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, the league announced earlier this year. There will be four marquee games opening weekend and history will be made when the All-Star Game is hosted for the first time on primetime on ABC on July 15.

The ESPN family of networks will also be broadcasting up to 27 games from the WNBA Playoffs, including the finals. For extra entertainment, the Skills Challenge and Three-Point Contest will be aired on ESPN on July 14.

Additionally, the WNBA Countdown — the pregame show from last season — will be available with at least 10 editions airing ahead of game broadcasts.

Here is their full slate:

  • ABC games
  • ESPN games
  • ESPN2 games
  • ESPN3 games
Date Matchup Time (ET)
May 19 Phoenix Mercury at Los Angeles Sparks 11 p.m.
May 20 Las Vega Aces at Seattle Storm 3 p.m.
  Atlanta Dream at Dallas Wings 1 p.m.
May 21 Chicago Sky at Phoenix Mercury  4 p.m.
May 30 Minnesota Lynx at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
  New York Liberty at Seattle Storm 9 p.m.
June 11 Dallas Wings at New York Liberty 1 p.m.
  Chicago Sky at Las Vegas Aces 3 p.m.
  Connecticut Sun at Atlanta Dream 4 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at Seattle Storm 3 p.m.
June 25 Chicago Sky at Connecticut Sun 1 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at New York Liberty 1 p.m.
  Dallas Wings at Los Angeles Sparks 3 p.m.
July 1 Connecticut Sun at Las Vegas Aces 3 p.m.
July 2 Los Angeles Sparks at Atlanta Dream 3 p.m.
  Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever 4 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at Dallas Wings 3 p.m.
July 8 Seattle Storm at New York Liberty 1:30 p.m.
July 9 Washington Mystics at Connecticut Sun 3 p.m.
  Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever 4 p.m.
July 22 Connecticut Sun at Atlanta Dream 1 p.m.
  Las Vegas Aces at Minnesota Lynx 3 p.m.
July 25 Phoenix Mercury at Atlanta Dream 7 p.m.
  Seattle Storm at New York Liberty 7 p.m.
  Las Vegas Aces at Chicago Sky 7 p.m.
  Connecticut Sun at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
July 30 Washington Mystics at Atlanta Dream 3 p.m.
  Seattle Storm at Indiana Fever 4 p.m.
  Phoenix Mercury at Chicago Sky 4 p.m.
  New York Liberty at Los Angeles Sparks 4 p.m.
Aug. 1 Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
  Phoenix Mercury at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
Aug. 6 Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream 3 p.m.
  Las Vegas Aces at New York Liberty 3 p.m.
  Los Angeles Sparks at Washington Mystics 3 p.m.
  Chicago Sky at Dallas Wings 4 p.m.
Aug. 13 Chicago Sky at Washington Mystics 3 p.m.
  New York Liberty at Indiana Fever 3 p.m.
Aug. 19 Los Angeles Sparks at Las Vegas Aces 3 p.m.
Aug. 28 Las Vegas Aces at New York Liberty 7 p.m.
Sept. 3 New York Liberty at Chicago Sky 3 p.m.
  Indiana Fever at Dallas Wings 4 p.m.
Sept. 10 Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces 3 p.m.
  Los Angeles Sparks at Seattle Storm 3 p.m.

CBS

CBS, the home station of the NFL and some marquee college football games, reachable to many by cable antenna, will carry 40 games across their Television and Sports Network, as well as Paramount+.

Here is their full slate. All games listed are on CBS Sports unless bolded — those games are on CBS:

Date Matchup Time (ET)
May 25 Las Vegas Aces at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
May 27 Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty 1 p.m.
May 28 Minnesota Lynx at Las Vegas Aces 9 p.m.
June 3 Seattle Storm at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
June 4 Chicago Sky at New York Liberty 2 p.m.
  Las Vegas Aces at Indiana Fever 4 p.m.
June 6 Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky 8 p.m.
  Los Angeles Sparks at Seattle Storm 10 p.m.
June 11 Phoenix Mercury at Indiana Fever 5 p.m.
June 13 Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty 8 p.m.
  Seattle Storm at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
June 17 Seattle Storm at Dallas Wings 2 p.m.
June 18 Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty Noon
  Atlanta Dream at Indiana Fever 4 p.m.
June 20 Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
June 22 Connecticut Sun at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
June 26 Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces 10 p.m.
June 27 Seattle Storm at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
  Dallas Wings at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
June 29 Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm 10 p.m.
July 2 New York Liberty at Seattle Storm 6 p.m.
July 5 Atlanta Dream at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
July 11 Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces 10 p.m.
July 12 Las Vegas Aces at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
July 18 Connecticut Sun at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
July 23 Phoenix Mercury at Washington Mystics 1 p.m.
July 30 Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun 1 p.m.
  Dallas Wings at Las Vegas Aces 6 p.m.
Aug. 2 Dallas Wings at Seattle Storm 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 8 Las Vegas Aces at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
Aug. 13 Atlanta Dream at Las Vegas Aces 9 p.m.
Aug. 22 Las Vegas Aces at Atlanta Dream 7 p.m.
Aug. 23 Phoenix Mercury at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
Aug. 27 Los Angeles Sparks at Connecticut Sun 1 p.m.
Aug. 29 Chicago Sky at Los Angeles Sparks 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 Seattle Storm at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
Sept. 5 New York Liberty at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
Sept. 10 Chicago Sky at Connecticut Sun 1 p.m.

ION

ION will air 44 games courtesy of a shiny new deal between the broadcast giant and the league. The WNBA is the first league to air on this platform, and their "Friday Night Spotlight" will adhere to appointment viewing, meaning fans can expect to sit down on the couch every Friday and catch a game or two.

ION is home to several well-known shows, including NCIS, Blue Bloods, Chicago P.D. and Fire, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU and Bones. If you're a fan of Elena Delle Donne, ION is the place to be, with 12 Washington Mystics games scheduled to air here.

MORE: WNBA's new TV deal, explained: 3 reasons why the partnership with Ion is a win for the league

Here is their full slate:

Date Matchup Time (ET)
May 26 Washington Mystics at Chicago Sky 8 p.m.
  Dallas Wings at Seattle Storm 10 p.m.
June 2 Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
  Las Vegas Aces at Atlanta Dream 7:30 p.m.
  New York Liberty at Chicago Sky 6 p.m.
  Los Angeles Sparks at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
June 9 New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream 7:30 p.m.
  Phoenix Mercury at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
  Indiana Fever at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
  Chicago Sky at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at Seattle Storm 10 p.m.
June 16 Phoenix Mercury at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
  Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
June 23 New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream 7: 30 p.m.
  Dallas Wings at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
June 30 Washington Mystics at Atlanta Dream 7:30 p.m.
  Los Angeles Sparks at Chicago Sky 8 p.m.
July 7 Indiana Fever at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
  Atlanta Dream at Chicago Sky 8 p.m.
  Las Vegas Aces at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
  Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
July 21 New York Liberty at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
July 28 Seattle Storm at Chicago Sky 8 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
Aug. 4 Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
  Los Angeles Sparks at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
  Chicago Sky at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
  New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
Aug. 11 Chicago Sky at New York Liberty 7:30 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at Las Vegas Aces 10 p.m.
Aug. 18 Dallas Wings at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
  Chicago Sky at Atlanta Dream 7:30 p.m.
  New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
  Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm 10 p.m.
Aug. 25 Los Angeles Sparks at Atlanta Dream 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
  Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty 7:30 p.m.
  Atlanta Dream at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
Sept. 8 Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
  Atlanta Dream at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
  Minnesota Lynx at Chicago Sky 8 p.m.
  Seattle Storm at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
  Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.

NBA TV

NBA TV is in its 21st season of WNBA coverage and will provide 43 games this year, the second most of any platform. Indiana will be their main focus with 10 games, due to the young and talented roster and its inclusion of South Carolina icon Aliyah Boston. They will broadcast Indiana's game against the Dream, where last year's Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard will face off with Boston, the favorite to win it this year.

Here is their full slate:

Date Matchup Time (ET)
May 19 New York Liberty at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
May 28 Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream 3 p.m.
June 4 Dallas Wings at Connecticut Sun 1 p.m.
June 14 Los Angeles Sparks at Dallas Wings 1 p.m.
June 20 Atlanta Dream at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
  Connecticut Sun at Seattle Storm 10 p.m.
June 21 Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury 3:30 p.m.
June 24 Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces 9 p.m.
June 27 New York Liberty at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
June 28 Los Angeles Sparks at Chicago Sky Noon
  Atlanta Dream at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
June 29 Indiana Fever at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
July 1 Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
July 12 New York Liberty at Indiana Fever Noon
July 18 Minnesota Lynx at Atlanta Dream 7 p.m.
July 19 Dallas Wings at New York Liberty 1 p.m.
July 20 Atlanta Dream at Connecticut Sun 11:30 a.m.
  Chicago Sky at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
July 22 Chicago Sky at Seattle Storm 9 p.m.
July 23 Indiana Fever at New York Liberty 3 p.m.
July 25 Indiana Fever at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
July 26 Washington Mystics at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
July 27 Indiana Fever at Los Angeles Sparks 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 1 New York Liberty at Los Angeles Sparks 10 p.m.
Aug. 5 Seattle Storm at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
Aug. 8 Connecticut Sun at Seattle Storm 3 p.m.
  Minnesota Lynx at Chicago Sky 8 p.m.
Aug. 10 Atlanta Dream at Seattle Storm 10 p.m.
Aug. 13 Phoenix Mercury at Seattle Storm 6 p.m.
Aug. 20 Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics 3 p.m.
  Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky 5 p.m.
  Seattle Storm at Minnesota Lynx 7 p.m.
Aug. 22 Connecticut Sun at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
Aug. 24 Las Vegas Aces at Chicago Sky 8 p.m.
Aug. 26 Las Vegas Aces at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
Aug. 27 Atlanta Dream at Indiana Fever 4 p.m.
  Dallas Wings at Phoenix Mercury 6 p.m.
Aug. 29 Minnesota Lynx at Washington Mystics 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces 9 p.m.
Sept. 3 Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 Washington Mystics at New York Liberty 1 p.m.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video will offer 21 games, including the Commissioner's Cup Championship Game on Aug. 15. 21 games will be featured in the participating teams' markets through their local broadcast partners.

The platform will also feature two of the season's superteam matchups — the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces — when they face each other in both June and August.

Here is their full slate:

Date Matchup Time (ET)
May 25 Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
June 1 Connecticut Sun at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
June 8 Las Vegas Aces at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
June 15 Atlanta Dream at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
  Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces 10 p.m.
June 22 Washington Mystics at Chicago Sky 8 p.m.
  Indiana Fever at Seattle Storm 10 p.m.
June 29 New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces 10 p.m.
July 6 Seattle Storm at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
July 20 Los Angeles Sparks at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
  Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm 10 p.m.
July 27 Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty 7 p.m.
Aug. 3 Atlanta Dream at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
Aug. 10 Minnesota Lynx at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
  Connecticut Sun at Phoenix Mercury 10 p.m.
Aug. 15 Commissioner's Cup Championship TBD
Aug. 17 New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces 10 p.m.
Aug. 24 New York Liberty at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
Aug. 31 Phoenix Mercury at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
  Washington Mystics at Las Vegas Aces 10 p.m.
Sept. 7 Los Angeles Sparks at New York Liberty 7 p.m.

Meta Quest

Meta Quest has been given 20 games to showcase. But, like me, I'm sure you're wondering what the heck this platform even is.

It's a virtual reality headset, created by Facebook... Interesting concept, VR basketball. Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever fans will benefit the most, with eight and six of their games respectively being broadcast here.

The league and Meta, who is now an official marketing partner of the league, have signed a multiyear partnership making this an annual thing, and making Meta the official VR headset of the WNBA.

Here is their full slate:

Date Matchup Time (ET)
May 19 Chicago Sky at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
May 21 Indiana Fever at New York Liberty 2 p.m.
May 23 Atlanta Dream at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
May 30 Chicago Sky at Atlanta Dream 7 p.m.
June 7 Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty 7 p.m.
June 11 Los Angeles Sparks at Minnesota Lynx 7 p.m.
June 13 Washington Mystics at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
June 18 Chicago Sky at Washington Mystics 3 p.m.
June 24 Phoenix Mercury at Seattle Storm 9 p.m.
July 5 Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty 7 p.m.
July 9 Los Angeles Sparks at Phoenix Mercury 6 p.m.
July 12 Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx 1 p.m.
July 22 Los Angeles Sparks at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
Aug. 8 Los Angeles Sparks at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
Aug. 20 Indiana Fever at Phoenix Mercury 6 p.m.
Aug. 22 Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
Aug. 24 Seattle Storm at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
Aug. 26 New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
Sept. 5 Los Angeles Sparks at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 Minnesota Lynx at Indiana Fever 1 p.m.

Twitter

Elon Musk's blue bird app gets custody of 12 games. There are special perks about the Twitter games, the biggest being that when fans tweet about a team, the tweet can and will be incorporated into the action-packed game-day livestreams.

11 teams will have games presented under #WNBATwitterLive, which will also provide game highlights and postgame interviews.

Here is their full slate:

Date Matchup Time (ET)
May 21 Indiana Fever at New York Liberty 2 p.m.
May 23 Atlanta Dream at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
May 30 Chicago Sky at Atlanta Dream 7 p.m.
June 13 Washington Mystics at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
June 18 Chicago Sky at Washington Mystics 3 p.m.
June 24 Phoenix Mercury at Seattle Storm 9 p.m.
July 5 Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty 7 p.m.
July 12 Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx 1 p.m.
July 22 Los Angeles Sparks at Dallas Wings 8 p.m.
Aug. 22 Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m.
Aug. 24 Seattle Storm at Indiana Fever 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 Los Angeles Sparks at Connecticut Sun 7 p.m.

 

Sara Tidwell

Sara Tidwell Photo

Sara Tidwell is an editorial intern with The Sporting News. A native to Michigan's Thumb region, she received her Bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University. Previous bylines include the Detroit News, Cincinnati Enquirer, Hartford Courant and The State News.