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Another year, another expansion draft for the ever-growing WNBA.
Following the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries just last year, the W is set to add two more franchises to the league in 2026 — the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has also announced her intention to continue expansion to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia in the coming years.
As it happened last year, the Tempo and Fire will get to draft from a designated pool of players across the other 13 WNBA teams. Each franchise is allowed to protect five players on their squad who cannot be selected by the newcomers.
The Tempo and Fire will continue to build out their rosters throughout free agency and during the 2026 WNBA draft, as well.
Here's everything you need to know about the latest WNBA expansion draft, including TV channel and streaming options for the highly-anticipated event.
Where to watch WNBA expansion draft: TV channel, live stream
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app
The 2026 WNBA expansion draft will air nationally on ESPN. Cord-cutters can also stream the action live on the ESPN app.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the ESPN app.
WNBA expansion draft 2026 start time
- Date: Friday, April 3
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
The 2026 WNBA expansion draft will start at 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 3. As the result of a coin toss, Portland will select first.
WNBA expansion draft 2026 format
Portland will have the first pick and the teams will alternate through a total of 12 picks for Round 1. In Round 2, Toronto will pick first in the same format, for a maximum of 24 possible picks overall.
Top projected available players
While the WNBA will not be revealing each franchise's protected players list, here is a handful of strong athletes that could be available during the expansion draft.
- Arike Ogunbowale* (Dallas)
- Marina Mabrey* (Connecticut)
- Halley Jones (Dallas)
- Kayla Thornton* (Golden State)
- Iliana Rupert (Golden State)
- Aari McDonald* (Indiana)
- Jewell Loyd* (Las Vegas)
- Kierstan Bell (Las Vegas)
- Azura Stevens* (Los Angeles)
- DiJonai Carrington* (Minnesota)
- Jonquel Jones* (New York)
- Kitija Laksa (Phoenix)
- Brittney Sykes* (Seattle)
- Ezi Magbegor* (Seattle)
- Jade Melbourne* (Washington)
*Unrestricted Free Agent
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