WNBA Playoffs Format: How many games are played per round and everything to know about it

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs, presented by Google, officially tipped off on Sunday, September 14 marking the beginning of an exciting postseason.

As eight of the top teams in the league vie for the championship, here’s everything you need to know about the format and structure of this year’s playoffs.

How Many Games Are Played Per Round?

The format for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs consists of multiple rounds, with varying numbers of games:

• First Round: A best-of-three series.
• Semi-Finals: Best-of-five series.
• Finals: Best-of-seven series.

This structure guarantees competitive matchups, ensuring teams must consistently perform at their best to advance.

Who Qualified for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs?

The following eight teams secured their spots for the postseason based on regular-season performance:

1. Minnesota Lynx (34-10)
2. Las Vegas Aces (30-14)
3. Atlanta Dream (30-14)
4. Phoenix Mercury (27-17)
5. New York Liberty (27-17)
6. Indiana Fever (24-20)
7. Seattle Storm (23-21)
8. Golden State Valkyries (23-21)

First-Round Matchups

The initial round of the WNBA Playoffs features the following pairings:

• Game 1: Golden State at Minnesota, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 1: Indiana at Atlanta, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 1: New York at Phoenix, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 1: Seattle at Las Vegas, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Home-Court Advantage Explained

Home-court advantage plays a crucial role in the WNBA Playoffs:

• First Round (bestof-3, 1-1-1 format): Higher seed hosts Game 1 and Game 3 (if needed); lower seed hosts Game 2.
• Semifinals (best-of-5): Higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, and 5 (if needed); lower seed hosts Games 3 and 4.
• Finals (best-of-7): Higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if needed); lower seed hosts Games 3, 4, and 6.

How to Watch the WNBA Playoffs

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2. Fans can check the schedule to follow their favorite teams and catch all the action.

With a highly competitive field and an exciting format, the 2025 WNBA Playoffs promise thrilling basketball as teams battle for the ultimate prize.