How to Watch the 2024 WNBA Playoffs

The 2024 WNBA Playoffs have arrived, and fans of women’s basketball are excited to tune in. Interest in the sport continues to soar, fueled by the growing fanbases of dominant teams like the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty. The 2023 WNBA season was a huge success, becoming the most-watched in over two decades and seeing attendance levels reach their highest point since 2010.

Whether you're a seasoned WNBA follower or a new fan, this guide will show you all the ways you can watch the playoffs, from cable channels to streaming services. Plus, we’ll cover major storylines, key matchups, and where you can catch every game.

Where to Watch the 2024 WNBA Playoffs

The WNBA Playoffs will be broadcast across several channels and streaming platforms. This year, the playoffs will air on:

• ESPN: ESPN will be broadcasting many of the playoff games, including some of the biggest matchups in the later rounds.
• ESPN2: For additional coverage, ESPN2 will air games throughout the playoffs.
• ABC: As a sister network to ESPN, ABC will broadcast some of the most crucial games, including the WNBA Finals.
• CBS Sports Network: Some playoff games will also be available on CBS Sports Network, particularly in the early rounds.
• NBA TV: NBA TV will cover a select number of games, providing an extra option for fans to follow the action.

If you don’t have access to cable, don’t worry—there are plenty of streaming options to watch the WNBA Playoffs live.

Streaming Services for the 2024 WNBA Playoffs

Streaming is a popular way to catch all the WNBA Playoff action, especially if you prefer watching while on the go. Here are the sports streaming services that will carry the WNBA games:

• ESPN+: Many of the WNBA Playoff games airing on ESPN and ESPN2 will also be available on ESPN+, a paid streaming service that gives you access to live sports, exclusive events, and original content.
• YouTube TV: YouTube TV includes ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and CBS Sports Network, making it a comprehensive choice for watching the playoffs.
• Hulu + Live TV: Hulu’s live TV package also includes access to ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and CBS Sports Network.
• fuboTV: fuboTV is a streaming service with a focus on live sports. It carries channels like ESPN, CBS Sports Network, and NBA TV, making it another solid option for WNBA fans.
• DirectTV Stream: This service offers ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, CBS Sports Network, and NBA TV, so you can catch nearly every playoff game.

Free Viewing Options for the 2024 WNBA Playoffs

If you’re looking to watch the WNBA Playoffs without paying for cable or a subscription, you do have some free options:

• Antenna: ABC will be broadcasting some of the playoff games, including the WNBA Finals. If you have an antenna, you can watch these games for free without any additional subscriptions.
• Free Trials: Many streaming services, including YouTube TV and fuboTV, offer free trials for new users. You can sign up for these trials to watch the WNBA Playoffs at no cost for a limited time.

Major Storylines to Follow in the 2024 WNBA Playoffs

This year's WNBA Playoffs are filled with exciting storylines and potential historic moments. Here are a few key stories to keep an eye on:

• Las Vegas Aces Defending Their Title: The Las Vegas Aces dominated the 2023 WNBA season and are the favorites to repeat as champions. Led by superstar A’ja Wilson, the Aces are looking to make history by securing back-to-back titles. Wilson is the heartbeat of the Aces and one of the league’s brightest stars. With her eyes set on another title, and can she carry Las Vegas to WNBA glory once again?
• New York Liberty’s Super Team: The New York Liberty made big moves in the offseason, acquiring Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. With Sabrina Ionescu running the point, they’ve become a powerhouse, and many expect them to challenge the Aces for the championship.
• Emerging Stars: Players like Kahleah Copper of the Chicago Sky, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, and Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings are poised to shine in this year’s playoffs. These young stars are crucial to their teams' success and are worth keeping an eye on. Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, has had a stellar rookie season, winning the Rookie of the Year award. Her teammate, Aliyah Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, is also a rising star. Leading their respective teams into the postseason, Clark and Boston are poised to make a huge impact. Will they carry their teams to victory and cement themselves as WNBA superstars?
• Legendary Careers: Keep an eye on some WNBA legends who may be playing in their final playoff runs. Players like Diana Taurasi have left lasting legacies in the league, and her potential last playoff appearance will be emotional and exciting. Known as the "GOAT" of women’s basketball, Taurasi holds multiple WNBA records, including all-time points scored. As she leads her team into the postseason, fans are eager to see if she can add one more title to her already historic legacy. Will Taurasi’s veteran leadership and clutch play guide her team to another deep playoff run?

WNBA League Pass

Those who subscribe to the WNBA League Pass will be disappointed to learn that many playoff games are considered blackout games. While WNBA League Pass is excellent for watching WNBA games during the regular season, its biggest disadvantage is the blacked-out games during the playoffs. Blackout games include those that are nationally televised on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, and Prime Video, meaning subscribers aren’t able to watch them live on League Pass. To avoid national blackouts—especially during the WNBA Playoffs—you need a separate TV subscription with channels like ESPN, CBS Sports Network, ION, and NBA TV. Blacked-out games will be available for on-demand viewing after the game has ended.

Which Games Are Not Available Live With WNBA League Pass?

In the U.S., certain nationally televised games (currently, those on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, and Prime Video) are not available live on WNBA League Pass. Additionally, certain nationally televised games within Canada (currently, those on TSN, Sportsnet, CBS, CBS Sports Network, and Prime Video) and other countries internationally (currently, those on Prime Video) are not available live on WNBA League Pass.

WNBA Playoff Schedule and Channels for Each Round

The WNBA Playoffs are structured into three rounds: the first round, the semifinals, and the WNBA Finals.

Key Dates

After the end of the regular season on September 19, the 2024 WNBA playoffs began on Sunday, September 22. The last possible date for the finals is October 20.

• Regular Season Ends: September 19
• Playoffs Begin: September 22
  • First Round: 8 teams, Best 2 out of 3; Ended September 25
  • Semi-Finals: 4 teams, Best 3 out of 5; First game airs September 29
  • Finals: 2 teams, Best 3 out of 5; First game airs October 10
• Last Possible Finals Date: October 20

Semi-Finals and Finals will be 2-2-1, with the higher seed hosting the first and final games, if necessary.

Channels

Each round of the WNBA Playoffs will be broadcast on specific channels, so here’s what to expect.

First Round

The first-round playoff schedule for September was available on ESPN. The first round of the playoffs was a best-of-three series. These games aired across ESPN, ESPN2, and NBA TV. Some games may also have been available on CBS Sports Network.

Semifinals

The semifinals are best-of-five series and will be broadcast primarily on ESPN and ESPN2. NBA TV will also air some of these games. You may also catch a few games on ABC.

WNBA Finals

The WNBA Finals are also a best-of-five series, and all games will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC. This means that you can tune in for every game of the Finals, whether you’re watching on cable or through a streaming service.

Streaming Services for Each Round

Each streaming service listed above will provide access to games based on the channels they offer. Here’s a breakdown of how subscribers can stream each round of the playoffs:

First Round Streaming Options

• YouTube TV: Covers ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, and NBA TV.
• Hulu + Live TV: Includes ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, and NBA TV.
• fuboTV: Offers ESPN, CBS Sports Network, and NBA TV.
• DirectTV Stream: Includes ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, and NBA TV.

Semifinals Streaming Options

• YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, DirectTV Stream: All these services carry ESPN and ESPN2, with some offering NBA TV for additional coverage.

WNBA Finals Streaming Options

• YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, DirectTV Stream: All offer ESPN and ABC, ensuring you can watch every WNBA Finals game.

How to Watch the WNBA Playoffs for Free

As mentioned earlier, there are a few ways to watch the WNBA Playoffs for free:

• ABC: If you have an antenna, you can watch games on ABC, including some of the Finals, without paying for a cable or streaming subscription.
• Free Trials: Services like YouTube TV and FuboTV offer free trials. Sign up during the playoffs to watch games without paying for a subscription.

If you choose to use a free trial, be mindful of the trial period and cancel before it ends to avoid charges.

Get Connected For the WNBA Playoffs

The 2024 WNBA Playoffs promise thrilling basketball, and there are plenty of ways to watch every minute. Whether you prefer cable TV, streaming services, or free options, you’ll be able to follow your favorite women’s basketball teams and players as they compete for the championship. Don’t want to miss a game? Let SmartMove help you find the best streaming services and cable and Internet providers so you can catch the action throughout each round!