2026 WNBA Expansion Draft: What to expect, rules, dates, and how it works

The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft is a major moment in women’s basketball, as the league helps its two newest franchises, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, build their first professional rosters ahead of the 2026 season.

Unlike the regular WNBA Draft, which focuses on college players entering the league, the Expansion Draft allows these new teams to select established WNBA players from the existing teams’ unprotected lists.

When and where is the WNBA Expansion Draft

• Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Coverage: Broadcast live on ESPN, with additional streaming options varying by region.

This event kicks off a very active WNBA offseason that includes the Expansion Draft, free agency, and the annual draft in mid‑April.

Teams involved in the WNBA Expansion Draft

Expansion Teams:

• Portland Fire
• Toronto Tempo

These are the 14th and 15th franchises in WNBA history, expanding the league’s footprint in the U.S. and Canada.

All 13 current WNBA teams will participate by submitting a list of players that includes everyone to whom they hold rights, whether active, suspended, reserved, or under contract from the previous season.

Expanded format and rules

Draft structure

The Expansion Draft consists of two rounds in a snake draft format, meaning the order reverses in the second round. Each expansion team makes up to 6 picks per round, up to 12 total selections for each franchise.

The draft order was set by a coin toss on March 27, which resulted in the Portland Fire having the first pick in this draft.

Protected vs. unprotected players

Before the draft, all existing teams submit a protected list of up to five players they choose to shield from selection. Anyone not protected becomes eligible to be drafted by Portland or Toronto.

This five‑player limit is a key strategic wrinkle. Teams must balance protecting their stars with safeguarding depth and contractual value.

Unrestricted free agents

Each expansion franchise is allowed to select only one potential unrestricted free agent (a player 5+ years into her career without a 2026 contract). Selecting such a player gives the expansion team exclusive supermax negotiation rights with that player, a significant roster and cap consideration.

How to watch the WNBA Expansion Draft

• Live TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN app and associated network streams, depending on availability in your region.

This is the first time two expansion franchises will draft in the same year, and fans across the league will want to tune in to see how Portland and Toronto shape their initial identities.

What happens next?

After the Expansion Draft, teams will continue building their rosters through free agency (usually earlier in April). The 2026 WNBA Draft follows on April 13, allowing expansion and existing teams to add fresh young talent. Then, training camps open ahead of the season tip‑off in May.

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