Move over, reality TV! The WNBA is bringing more games, more drama, and more opportunities to break our hearts in 2025.
Yes, you read that right. The WNBA has announced a new 44-game regular-season schedule because, obviously, we just can’t get enough. The change is set to kick off next year, coinciding with the debut of the Golden State Valkyries as the league’s 13th team. I can already see it now—fresh jerseys, flashy promos, and probably some witty catchphrase about “taking flight” or something like that.
But hold your horses, the real spice is in the playoff format change. Get ready to feel some emotions, especially if you’re one of those lower-seeded underdog teams. The league’s “new and improved” first-round playoff format is designed to sprinkle a little more fairness into the mix—or, you know, just mess with our heads.
Here’s the twist: higher-seeded teams will now host Game 1, lower-seeded teams will host Game 2, and if we’re really lucky (or tortured, depending on who you’re rooting for), a Game 3 will go back to the higher-seeded team. No more pity home games for teams that should probably be packing for vacation anyway.
This change is a pretty big shift from the current system, where higher seeds hosted Games 1 and 2 and left Game 3 (if necessary) for the underdogs. Of course, it wasn’t needed this year because the higher seeds swept everyone out of the gym faster than you can say, “better luck next year.”
And just to make sure the semifinals stay interesting (read: exactly the same), the 2-2-1 format for the best-of-five series remains untouched. But don’t worry—the WNBA Finals are spicing things up with a best-of-seven series. That’s right, folks, more games, more tension, and more nights of screaming at your TV as referees make questionable calls. The Finals will now follow a 2-2-1-1-1 format. Because, clearly, what we all need is more plane rides and those awkward sideline interviews.
The WNBA seems committed to keeping us on the edge of our seats, having already increased the regular-season games from 32 in 2021 to 36 in 2022, then 40 in 2023 and 2024. And now, they’re going all out with 44 games in 2025. By 2030, don’t be surprised if we’re watching a 162-game WNBA marathon—hey, more basketball can’t be a bad thing, right?
But hold onto your foam fingers, because the expansion isn’t done yet. In 2026, Toronto and Portland, Oregon, are joining the party as the 14th and 15th franchises. Because who doesn’t want even more teams to scramble for playoff spots?
At the end of the day, the WNBA’s new playoff format is all about balance. Sure, the underdog teams lose that cozy home finale, but at least the top seeds now get to flaunt their superiority with that crucial Game 3 on their turf. Honestly, it’s a win for everyone—except for the team that loses, of course.
So, here’s to 2025, where the WNBA gives us more basketball, more teams, more games, and more playoff tension than ever before. Get your popcorn ready. This is going to be fun… and maybe a little maddening.
