Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings Unveil 2026 Schedule As WNBA Prepares For Milestone Season

Grant AfsethJanuary 21, 2026January 26, 2026

Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Sparks, WNBa

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The WNBA released its 2026 regular-season schedule Wednesday, setting the stage for a landmark 30th season that blends expansion, increased national reach, and continued growth — all while negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement remain ongoing.

For the Dallas Wings, the announcement confirmed a 44-game slate running from May through September, highlighted by three high-profile home games at American Airlines Center and a season opener on the road against the Indiana Fever.

League officials said the schedule was released now to allow teams and partners to begin logistical planning, including ticket sales, travel and arena availability.

“As we prepare to tip off the WNBA’s historic 30th season, this schedule reflects both how far the league has come and the momentum that continues to drive us forward,” Cathy Engelbert said. “From welcoming two new organizations in Toronto and Portland, to honoring our history with marquee matchups that connect the league’s first game to today’s stars, the 2026 season will celebrate the WNBA’s past, present, and future.”

Full 2026 Dallas Wings Schedule

Dallas Wings 2026 WNBA Regular Season Schedule — Photo by Dallas Wings

Dallas Wings Open on the Road, Return Home to Arlington

Dallas will open its 11th season in North Texas on Saturday, May 9, traveling to Indiana for a noon CT tipoff. The Wings will then make their home debut Tuesday, May 12, hosting the Atlanta Dream at College Park Center in Arlington.

That matchup begins a three-game homestand that continues May 14 against the Minnesota Lynx and May 18 versus the Washington Mystics, with all three games tipping at 7 p.m.

For the first time since 2018, Dallas will both start and finish its regular season on the road, closing Sept. 23 against the Seattle Storm.

American Airlines Center Returns for Three Marquee Dates

After setting franchise and state attendance records last season, the Wings will once again bring select games downtown. Dallas will host three regular-season games at American Airlines Center in 2026:

Sunday, July 12 vs. the Chicago Sky (6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 7 vs. the Golden State Valkyries (8:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 20 vs. Indiana (7 p.m.)

Dallas and Indiana previously drew a sold-out crowd of 20,409 on June 27, 2025, the largest attendance figure in franchise history, the biggest WNBA crowd ever recorded in Texas, and just the eighth regular-season game in league history to surpass 20,000 fans.

Expansion Matchups and International Venues Highlight Schedule

The Wings will face two new franchises as the league expands to 15 teams with the addition of the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo.

Dallas will meet Portland for the first time June 13 in Oregon and will play Toronto for the inaugural matchup July 5. One of those road games will be played internationally, with the July 10 contest against Toronto scheduled for Bell Centre in Montreal.

The Wings will also participate in relocated games this season, including a July 2 matchup against the Connecticut Sun at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford.

Jose Fernandez Era Begins as Wings Look Ahead

The 2026 campaign marks the first season under head coach Jose Fernandez, who was hired in October after a 25-year run at the University of South Florida. Fernandez brings nearly 500 career wins, 19 postseason appearances and extensive international experience, including gold medals with USA Basketball’s U18 and U19 national teams.

Dallas also enters the season with added momentum after securing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft for the second consecutive year. A year after selecting Paige Bueckers first overall, Dallas again won the draft lottery in November. Bueckers delivered a record-setting debut season and earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors.

Breaks, Milestones and Uncertainty

League-wide, the 2026 season will feature a 17-day pause from Aug. 31 through Sept. 16 for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany. Teams will resume play shortly afterward, with the playoffs beginning Sept. 27.

The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup will run from June 1 through June 17, with the championship game set for June 30. The All-Star Game will be held July 25 in Chicago, with play resuming three days later.

All of those plans remain contingent on the league and players’ union finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement. The two sides are currently operating under the previous CBA during a “status quo” period, with free agency paused and expansion drafts for Portland and Toronto still to be scheduled.

Despite that uncertainty, league officials emphasized that releasing the schedule now provides clarity for teams, broadcasters and fans.

“Releasing the 2026 schedule is a key step as we prepare for the WNBA’s 30th season and allows teams, partners, broadcasters and fans to begin the essential planning for the year ahead,” a league spokesperson said.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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