The basketball world is experiencing a process of change as we get deep into 2026. With the NBA having its own dramas with the All-Star Game set to take over Los Angeles, the WNBA seems to also be under an intense adaptation period following the development of a “league rival.”
With the WNBA currently in their offseason, the main focus turns to Miami this February as Unrivaled, the groundbreaking 3-on-3 league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, brings back its most electric event: the 1-on-1 Tournament presented by Sprite.
The competition, with a $300,000 prize pool on the line and the title of the world’s best individual player as a reward, promises to be more than just another tournament for WNBA players.
Here is a basic guide so you don’t get lost ahead of the show.
The schedule: When and where to watch
The tournament will take place over three nights at the Sephora Arena in Miami. According to official reports, fans can catch the drama by turning on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. Here is the coverage divided by rounds:
- First round: Wednesday, Feb. 11, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET (truTV / HBO Max)
- Second round & quarterfinals: Friday, Feb. 13, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT / truTV / HBO Max)
- Semifinals & championship: Saturday, Feb. 14, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET (TNT / truTV / HBO Max)
Pods and matchups
This year, the tournament features 32 of the league’s 48 athletes, divided into four “pods” of eight players based on position. Seeding was determined by a collective vote from fans, players, coaches, and the media prior to the event.
While Napheesa Collier will not be back to defend her inaugural title following ankle surgeries, the field remains full of great players. Here are the games for the first round matchups inside their pods.
- First round matchups
- Pod A: No. 1 Kelsey Mitchell vs. No. 8 Rachel Banham | No. 2 Kelsey Plum vs. No. 7 Natisha Hiedeman
- Pod B: No. 1 Paige Bueckers vs. No. 8 Kate Martin | No. 2 Chelsea Gray vs. No. 7 Natasha Cloud
- Pod C: No. 1 Allisha Gray vs. No. 8 Saniya Rivers | No. 2 Rhyne Howard vs. No. 7 Rae Burrell
- Pod D: No. 1 Breanna Stewart vs. No. 8 Li Yueru | No. 2 Aaliyah Edwards vs. No. 7 Dominique Malonga
Rules of the game
The 1-on-1 game format is designed to honor speed while creating a lot of highlight-reel moments.
In order to win a game, a player must score 11 points (by 2s and 3s) or be leading after the 10-minute time limit. Action is non-stop as there is a seven-second shot clock for every player. If you score, you keep the ball.
Once the first rounds are surpassed, the finals are played in a best-of-three series where each game is played to 7 or 8 points.
The tournament’s prize
Unrivaled is continuing its mission to “invest directly in its athletes.” This year, the total prize pool has reached the staggering figure of $300,000, distributed like this:
- Champion: $200,000
- Runner-up: $50,000
- Semifinalists: $25,000 each
With Sprite returning as the presenting partner, the league aims to create a “player-first approach” complemented by music, culture, and high-level competition.
Let’s see what player comes out as the undisputed “One” of 2026.
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