The WNBA is currently in the middle of a massive identity shift. If you haven't been paying attention, the 2025 season isn't just "another year" of hoops—it’s the year everything actually changed. We’ve got an expansion team in the Golden State Valkyries, a record-breaking 44-game schedule, and a playoff format that finally treats the Finals like the marathon they should be.
Honestly, trying to keep track of the WNBA key dates 2025 is a bit like trying to guard A'ja Wilson in the paint. Hard. But if you're planning your summer around when Caitlin Clark comes to town or when the Valkyries make their debut, you need the right calendar.
Let's break down what's actually happening and why some of these dates matter way more than others.
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The Offseason Hustle: Where the Season is Won
Most people think the season starts in May. They're wrong. The foundation for the 2025 season was actually poured back in January.
The player negotiation period kicked off on January 21, 2025. This is that frantic window where GMs are basically living on caffeine and cell service, trying to convince free agents that their city has the best culture (and the best chance at a ring). But the ink didn't hit the paper until February 1, which was the first day players could officially sign those new contracts.
Then came the big one: the WNBA Draft 2025. On April 14, the league headed to The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. This wasn't just a draft; it was the Paige Bueckers show. The Dallas Wings had the No. 1 pick, and let’s be real, everyone knew where that was going. The Golden State Valkyries also made their first-ever standard draft splash here, picking fifth.
The Marathon Begins: Regular Season Highlights
Training camps opened on April 27, and the cut-down date was May 15. That’s the most brutal day in the league. Teams had to get down to 12 players by 5:00 p.m. EST. You have incredible talent getting waived simply because there aren't enough roster spots.
The regular season officially tipped off on Friday, May 16, 2025.
One of the coolest moments? The Valkyries played their first game ever against the Los Angeles Sparks that night. It wasn't just a game; it was a vibe shift for the whole league.
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The Commissioner’s Cup Shakeup
The Commissioner’s Cup has always been a little confusing for casual fans. Basically, it’s an in-season tournament where games count toward the regular-season record but also qualify teams for a big-money championship game.
- June 1 to June 17: This was the window for Cup play.
- July 1: The Commissioner’s Cup Championship game.
This year, the Indiana Fever actually took it home, beating the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 at the Target Center. Natasha Howard walked away with the MVP. It was the first real sign that Indy was becoming a serious problem for the rest of the league.
The All-Star Break and the Final Push
Indianapolis hosted its first-ever All-Star Game on July 19, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The 3-point contest and skills challenge happened the night before, on July 18. If you missed it, you missed Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu basically turning the arena into a shooting gallery.
After the break, things got intense.
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- August 7: The Trade Deadline. If you didn't have your roster set by 3:00 p.m. ET on this day, you were stuck with what you had.
- August 29: This is a date most people overlook—the waiver eligibility deadline for the playoffs.
- September 11: The regular season ended.
By the time the dust settled, A'ja Wilson had secured another MVP, leading the league in scoring and rebounding. The Aces looked like a juggernaut, but the Phoenix Mercury were right on their heels.
The Playoffs: A New Best-of-Seven Reality
This is where the WNBA key dates 2025 really got interesting. For the first time, the league moved to a best-of-seven format for the Finals.
The playoffs started on September 14. The first round used a 1-1-1 format, which was a huge change from the old 2-1 setup. It meant the higher seed hosted Games 1 and 3, while the lower seed got Game 2. It’s much fairer, honestly.
The 2025 WNBA Finals Schedule
The Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury were legendary.
- Game 1: October 3 (Aces win 89-86)
- Game 2: October 5 (Aces win 91-78)
- Game 3: October 8 (Aces win 90-88)
- Game 4: October 10 (Aces win 97-86)
The Aces swept the series 4-0 to take their third title. Even though it was a sweep, the games were incredibly close. A'ja Wilson was named Finals MVP, which surprised exactly no one.
Actionable Insights for the Next Season
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve for the upcoming year, here is what you should actually do:
- Bookmark the WNBA App now. The league updates the "Key Dates" page frequently, and since things like the Draft and All-Star locations change, it’s the only way to stay current.
- Follow the "Orange Carpet." The fashion at the WNBA Draft (usually mid-April) has become a cultural event. If you want to see the future stars of the league before they put on a jersey, that’s the day to watch.
- Watch the Waiver Wire in May. If your favorite team needs depth, keep an eye on the May 15 cut-down date. High-level players often get picked up by contenders within 24 hours of being waived.
- Plan for a Best-of-Seven. Now that the Finals have expanded, don't expect a champion to be crowned in a single weekend. Clear your calendar for the first two weeks of October if you want to see the trophy presentation.
The 2025 season proved that the WNBA isn't just growing—it's arrived. Whether it’s the expansion of the schedule or the shift in playoff formats, the league is demanding more of our time, and quite frankly, it’s earned it.
Stay tuned for the 2026 expansion news, as the Portland and Toronto teams start their own "key dates" countdowns soon.