When does the 2025 WNBA season start? Key dates to know, including drafts, lottery
Controversy aside, the New York Liberty have won their first-ever WNBA title. However, if you're not a fan of the Liberty or Minnesota Lynx, you've probably been looking ahead to the start of the 2025 season for quite some time.
It's easy to get excited about next year. Not only will UConn star Paige Bueckers likely be the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, but the Golden State Valkyries will debut in 2025 and the next WNBA Finals will expand to a best-of-7 series. The regular season may also be extended from 40 games to 44. We're also one year closer to the introduction of the expansion Toronto and Portland franchises.
Still, despite all the great news on the horizon, we still have several months to go before the players take the court again. Here is what we know about the start of the 2025 WNBA season.
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When does the 2025 WNBA season start?
While there is no set date currently, the league is expected to resume play in May 2025.
When has the league started in the past?
Here are the start dates for each of the last 10WNBA seasons:
2024: May 14
2023: May 19
2022: May 6
2021: May 14
2020: July 25 (delayed due to COVID-19)
2019: May 24
2018: May 18
2017: May 13
2016: May 14
2015: June 5
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When is the 2025 WNBA draft?
The 2025 WNBA draft is currently set to take place on Monday, April 14, 2025.
When is the lottery for the 2025 draft?
The lottery to determine which team will land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft will be held Sunday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. ET.
ESPN will broadcast the lottery following the TCU vs. North Carolina State women's college basketball game.
When is the expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries?
The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA's newest team, will debut in the 2025 season, but first the franchise has to assemble a roster. That begins with the expansion draft, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6 on ESPN.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 WNBA season start: Lottery, drafts to follow New York parade