2026 WNBA Expansion draft on April 3

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 12: L to R: Washington Mystics introduce their new head coach Sydney Johnson, and new GM Jamila Wideman, with president of Monumental Basketball, Michael Winger at a press conference at the District E in the Gallery Place in Washington, DC on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Jo

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What is the story about?

The WNBA’s offseason is about to start now that a Collective Bargaining Agreement is in place. The first order of business is to hold an expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. The first order of business: determining which team drafts first. A coin toss will be held later today to determine that.

The next step is for the 13 existing teams, including the Washington Mystics, to have a chance to protect up to five players from the expansion draft. That deadline is Mar. 29.

Finally,

the expansion draft itself will be held on Friday, April 3 at 3:30 p.m. It will be aired on ESPN.