The wait is almost over: the 2026 WNBA Finals are a day away from tipoff, with the No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries set to face the No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream in a historic battle for their first-ever franchise championship.
With the best-of-seven series beginning on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock) the Dream are unsure of the availability of star guard Allisha Gray, who has been out with a left ring finger injury. Her status for Game 1 will be a game-time decision, with the team's medical staff making the final call.
Atlanta has reached the WNBA Finals four times, most recently in 2013, but they are seeking their first championship.
The Valkyries, an expansion team that completed their inaugural season in 2025, made an impressive run to their first
Finals appearance in their second season.
They arrive on the heels of a dominant semifinal performance, sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Thanks to their higher seed, the Valkyries hold home-court advantage and will host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 if the series goes the distance.
Here is a look at the WNBA Finals schedule and when the best-of-seven series begins.
When does the 2026 WNBA Finals begin?
Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries is on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
2026 WNBA Finals schedule
The WNBA Finals are scheduled to begin on Saturday, Oct. 17. Here is the full schedule for all seven games, including game times.
- Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 17, Atlanta at Golden State, 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
- Game 2: Monday, Oct. 19, Atlanta at Golden State, 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
- Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 21, Golden State at Atlanta, 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
- Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 24, Golden State at Atlanta, 1 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
- Game 5*: Monday, Oct. 26, Atlanta at Golden State, 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
- Game 6*: Thursday, Oct. 29, Golden State at Atlanta, 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
- Game 7*: Saturday, Oct. 31, Atlanta at Golden State, 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
- * if necessary
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When does the 2026 WNBA Finals start? Atlanta Dream face Golden State Valkyries
