The New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun will open the 2026 WNBA season on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Fans can watch the game on ION and WNBA League Pass.
Key points
New York Liberty vs. Connecticut Sun on Friday
Game starts at 7:30 p.m. at Barclays Center
Available on ION and WNBA League Pass
First game of the 2026 WNBA season
Includes two additional games on the same night
New York LibertyConnecticut SunWNBA
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UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - MAY 3: Rebekah Gardner #7 of the New York Liberty pulls down a rebound against the Connecticut Sun in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 3, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean D. Elliot/Getty Images)
The New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun will kick off the 2026 WNBA season this Friday, playing the very first game of the season, here's how to watch. (Sean D. Elliot/Getty Images)
(Sean D. Elliot via Getty Images)
The New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun will play the first WNBA game of the 2026 season this Friday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. Theirs is the first of three Friday night games opening the 30th WNBA season; you can also catch Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo at 7:30 p.m., and Golden State Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm. at 10 p.m., and all three games will be available on ION and WNBA League Pass.
Here’s what you need to know about watching the 2026 WNBA season opener between the Connecticut Sun and the New York Liberty, and how to watch the whole WNBA season.
Q&A
What time does the Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty game start?
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Where can I watch the WNBA season opener between the Sun and Liberty?
You can watch the game on ION and WNBA League Pass.
What teams are playing in the first game of the 2026 WNBA season?
The first game features the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun.
What other games are scheduled for the WNBA season opener on Friday?
Other games include Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo and Golden State Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm.
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When is the Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty game?
The 2026 WNBA season tips off with a three-game opening night slate on Friday, May 8, 2026, starting with a matchup between the Sun and Liberty at 7:30 p.m. ET.
What channel is the Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty game on?
The Sun vs. Liberty season opener will air on ION.
Where to watch the Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty game without cable:
ION is available on streaming platforms like DirecTV and YouTube TV as well as on free services like Tubi. This Friday’s game will also stream on WNBA League Pass.
YouTube TV gets you nearly every channel you'll need for the 2026 WNBA season, including ION, NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN, and NBA TV. While the platform has announced it intends to give subscribers complimentary access to ESPN Unlimited, that integration has been delayed for the time being.
That being said, you can get a great deal on YouTube TV right now: $67.99/month for your first five months, then $82.99/month thereafter.
One thing to note: YouTube TV livestreams tend to run a slight delay, which isn't ideal if you're trying to keep up with the live game down to the exact second.
DirecTV's Choice tier (currently $104.98/month after fees for your first three months) gets you access to nearly every channel you need to watch sports throughout the year, especially for the WNBA: ION, NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN, and NBA TV (plus an abundance of local RSNs). DirecTV Choice (and most other DirecTV plans) also come with free ESPN Unlimited, which gets you access to every ESPN channel, an amazing value and a must for watching tons of sports all year round.
DirecTV offers a free trial on any tier, so you can try it all out at low risk. After your free trial and new subscriber month deal on DirecTV's Choice tier, the monthly price goes up to $115/month (after fees). If you're interested in trying a live TV streaming service but aren't ready to commit, we recommend starting with DirecTV.
For the 2026 season, WNBA games will be spread across a wide range of channels (and streaming platforms). Games will air on ABC, ESPN (and ESPN2/ESPN+), CBS, NBC (and NBCSN), ION, USA Network, and NBA TV. Plus, some games will be exclusive to Amazon Prime Video; games that air on NBC will stream on Peacock; games on CBS will be available on Paramount+; and select games airing on ABC will stream on Disney+. Certain games will also be available only via League Pass.
Confused? Overwhelmed? Don’t have cable these days? Here’s a loose weekly schedule for which nights of the week get which channels, plus what you’ll need to watch WNBA games in 2026:
YouTube TV gets you nearly every channel you'll need for the 2026 WNBA season, including ION, NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN, and NBA TV. While the platform has announced it intends to give subscribers complimentary access to ESPN Unlimited, that integration has been delayed for the time being.
That being said, you can get a great deal on YouTube TV right now: $67.99/month for your first five months, then $82.99/month thereafter.
One thing to note: YouTube TV livestreams tend to run a slight delay, which isn't ideal if you're trying to keep up with the live game down to the exact second.
DirecTV's Choice tier (currently $104.98/month after fees for your first three months) gets you access to nearly every channel you need to watch sports throughout the year, especially for the WNBA: ION, NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN, and NBA TV (plus an abundance of local RSNs). DirecTV Choice (and most other DirecTV plans) also come with free ESPN Unlimited, which gets you access to every ESPN channel, an amazing value and a must for watching tons of sports all year round.
DirecTV offers a free trial on any tier, so you can try it all out at low risk. After your free trial and new subscriber month deal on DirecTV's Choice tier, the monthly price goes up to $115/month (after fees). If you're interested in trying a live TV streaming service but aren't ready to commit, we recommend starting with DirecTV.
ESPN's streaming platform offers thousands of exclusive live events, original studio shows, and acclaimed series that air across ESPN's suite of seven linear channels, as well as exclusive content on ESPN+, ABC on ESPN, SEC+, ACCNX, and more. Every WNBA game airing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC this season will stream on ESPN Unlimited. The Unlimited tier costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year.
ESPN Select allows subscribers to access exclusive content only available on the app, and an extensive archive of on-demand content (including the entire 30 For 30 library, select ESPN Films, game replays, and more). Whether you purchase a standalone plan, add-on, or Disney bundle plan, the service provides access to thousands of sports events for $12.99/month or $129.99/year.
Sling TV's Day Pass gives consumers the freedom to watch what they want, when they want, without committing to a monthly streaming subscription. So if you love watching certain teams or just want to tune into the occasional playoff game, it's the ideal, cost-effective plan.
Sign up for a single day ($4.99), a weekend ($9.99), or a full week ($14.99) and watch every channel available through Sling Orange, which includes ESPN and ESPN2, and over 30 more channels. No strings attached.
Want to catch a specific sporting event on channels Sling Orange doesn't typically carry? You can customize your channel lineup with a Sports Extra add-on to get additional coverage of SEC, ACC, ESPNU, and more for just a dollar more.
Amazon’s will once again serve as one of the streaming homes for the WNBA this season. In 2026, Prime Video will stream most Thursday night WNBA games free to all Amazon Prime subscribers.
On top of Amazon Prime Video, an Amazon Prime subscription includes free shipping, exclusive deals, Amazon Music, a year of free Grubhub+, and more. A standard Amazon Prime subscription is $15 monthly or $139 annually, but discounts are available for students and those on qualified government assistance. You can try Amazon Prime for 30 days free.
For $11/month, an ad-supported Peacock subscription lets you stream live sports and events airing on NBC, including WNBA games. Plus, you'll get access to thousands of hours of shows and movies, including beloved sitcoms such as Parks and Recreation and The Office, every Bravo show,and much more.
For $17/month, you can upgrade to an ad-free subscription, which includes live access to your local NBC affiliate (not just during designated sports and events) and the ability to download select titles to watch offline.
