3/27/2026
By: Jennifer Portee
The WNBA’s brightest young stars will take center stage on April 13 when the 2026 WNBA Draft presented by State Street Investment Management SPY tips off at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. Fans can watch the event live on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET, with pre-draft coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and continuing on ESPN and the ESPN App.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce this year’s draft picks as the WNBA once again welcomes a packed house of fans and prospects for what has become one of the league’s marquee events. It marks the third consecutive year the draft will be held in front of a live audience in New York. Tickets are available starting March 27 at 10:00 a.m. ET through Ticketmaster.
Following the 2026 Draft Lottery, the Dallas Wings secured the first overall pick, with the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky rounding out the top five.
Before taking the stage, players will celebrate the occasion with a lighting ceremony at the Empire State Building and appearances along the WNBA Orange Carpet presented by Coach.
The 2026 draft also coincides with the league’s 30th anniversary season, which tips off May 8. With a new collective bargaining agreement and expansion to Canada’s Toronto Tempo, the WNBA enters a landmark year of growth and momentum.