Golden State Valkyries Schedule 2026: Complete Game Dates & Key Matchups

The Golden State Valkyries enter the 2026 season looking to build on the foundation established in their debut year. With a 44-game schedule running from May through September, the team will face top competition across the league while aiming to captivate fans both at home and on the road. From highly anticipated matchups against rising stars to key rivalry games, this season promises intensity, growth, and unforgettable moments. As expectations rise, the Valkyries aim not only to compete but also to establish themselves as a dominant force in the WNBA.

2026 Golden State Valkyries Season Overview: What to Expect

The Golden State Valkyries enter their second WNBA season in 2026 with a 44-game regular-season schedule, building on their historic inaugural year that set all-time WNBA attendance records. The season runs from May 8 through September 24 with 22 home games at Chase Center and 22 road contests across the league.

Key Season Dates: Opening Day, All-Star Break & Final Game

The Valkyries tip off their 2026 campaign on Friday, May 8, 2026 with a road game at Seattle Storm. The home opener follows two days later on Sunday, May 10, 2026 against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 PM PT.

The 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Weekend takes place July 24-25, 2026, hosted by the Chicago Sky at the United Center and Wintrust Arena. The league also pauses from August 31 through September 16, 2026 for the FIBA Women's World Cup. The Valkyries' regular season runs through the final day of league play on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with their exact final game date and opponent still to be confirmed.

Planning to attend the Valkyries’ home opener or other key games this season? You can check the latest ticket availability and prices on TicketX to secure your seats early.

Total Games Breakdown: 44 Regular Season Games Explained

The 2026 WNBA season maintains the 44-game format per team that was first introduced in the 2025 season. With the league expanding to 15 teams through the addition of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo expansion franchises, the league will feature a record 330 total regular season games, with 216 of those games scheduled for national broadcast — a record number of nationally televised games.

The Valkyries' 44-game schedule splits evenly: 22 home games at Chase Center and 22 away games across opponent arenas. The official Valkyries website confirms all 22 home contests will be played at Chase Center, where the team sold out every game in its inaugural 2025 season, averaging 18,064 fans per game.

2026 Valkyries Schedule Overview (Month-by-Month Highlights)

The Golden State Valkyries 2026 regular season spans from May 8 through September 24, featuring 44 total games. The schedule is structured around the Commissioner’s Cup games, the All-Star Weekend (July 24-25), and the FIBA Women's World Cup break (August 31 – September 16). Below is a month-by-month breakdown of the Valkyries’ games, including key opponents and broadcast information.

May 2026 Schedule: Season Opener & First Home Games

The Valkyries kick off their second WNBA season on Friday, May 8, 2026, with a road game at Seattle Storm. The home opener follows on Sunday, May 10, against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center at 5:30 PM PT, where the team will look to replicate their record-breaking 2025 attendance success that saw all 22 home games sell out with an average of 18,064 fans per game.

May features matchups against Western Conference opponents and includes the Valkyries' first meetings with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever — both home and away — as well as a marquee home game against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.

Key May Dates:

• May 8: Season opener at Seattle Storm

• May 10: Home opener vs Phoenix Mercury (5:30 PM PT)

• May 22: At Indiana Fever (ION broadcast)

• May 28: vs Indiana Fever at Chase Center (Prime Video)

• May 31: vs Las Vegas Aces at Chase Center (NBC)

June 2026 Schedule: Peak Season Matchups

June features marquee national television broadcasts and includes Commissioner’s Cup games. The Valkyries face the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces twice on the road during the month, including a Commissioner's Cup matchup on ABC.

Notable June Matchups:

• June 6: At Las Vegas Aces (Commissioner's Cup, ABC)

• June 21: At Las Vegas Aces (CBS)

• Mid-June: Eastern Conference matchups

• Late June: Western Conference rivalry games

July 2026 Schedule: All-Star Break & Mid-Season Games

July includes the Valkyries' third matchup with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, plus the All-Star Weekend break (July 24-25) hosted by the Chicago Sky at the United Center and Wintrust Arena. The Commissioner's Cup Championship Game is also held in mid-July.

July Schedule Highlights:

• July 4: Independence Day weekend home game

• July 15: At Indiana Fever (USA Network)

• July 24-25: WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago (no Valkyries games)

• Late July: Season resumes with playoff push

August-September 2026 Schedule: FIBA World Cup Break & Final Games

August continues regular season play before the league-wide FIBA Women's World Cup break, which runs from August 31 through September 16, 2026. After the break, the regular season resumes from September 17 through September 24, 2026.

Critical End-of-Season Dates:

• Mid-August: Home stand against playoff contenders

• August 30: Final game before FIBA World Cup break

• September 17: Regular season resumes after FIBA break

• September 24: Final day of the WNBA regular season (league-wide)

Chase Center's record-breaking home attendance — which reached 397,408 total fans in 2025 — could provide a significant advantage in close late-season games as the Valkyries push for playoff seeding.

Marquee Matchups & Can't-Miss Rivalry Games in 2026

The 2026 Valkyries schedule features several high-profile matchups that will draw national attention. From facing Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever to championship matchups against four-time MVP A'ja Wilson's Las Vegas Aces, these games represent the biggest draws of the season. Regional rivalry games against the LA Sparks and Phoenix Mercury add California pride to the mix.

With demand expected to be high for these marquee matchups, fans may want to check TicketX in advance to find the best seats before they sell out.

When Do the Valkyries Play Caitlin Clark? Indiana Fever Game Dates

The Golden State Valkyries will face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever three times during the 2026 regular season. These matchups are expected to rank among the WNBA’s most-watched broadcasts due to Clark's massive following — she was named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year in her debut season with the Fever.

Confirmed Valkyries-Fever matchups:

• May 22: At Indiana Fever in Indianapolis (ION broadcast)

• May 28: vs Indiana Fever at Chase Center (Prime Video)

• July 15: At Indiana Fever in Indianapolis (USA Network)

The home matchup against the Fever is expected to sell out immediately given the record-breaking attendance the Valkyries achieved in 2025 with 18,064 fans per game.

A'ja Wilson & Las Vegas Aces Matchups

The Las Vegas Aces series represents one of the Valkyries' most significant rivalries in 2026. The Aces remain the league's defending champions with A'ja Wilson — the WNBA's first-ever four-time MVP (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025) — leading their roster.

Confirmed nationally broadcast Valkyries-Aces matchups include:

• May 31: vs Las Vegas Aces at Chase Center (NBC)

• June 6: At Las Vegas Aces (Commissioner's Cup game, ABC)

• June 21: At Las Vegas Aces (CBS)

California Rivalry Games: LA Sparks & Phoenix Mercury

The Valkyries' California rivalry games against the LA Sparks and Phoenix Mercury bring geographic intensity and playoff race implications. The Phoenix Mercury series begins with the highly anticipated home opener on May 10 at Chase Center. All three California teams compete in the Western Conference, making these games critical for playoff seeding throughout the 44-game regular season.

Chase Center Home & Away Games Schedule

The Golden State Valkyries play 44 regular season games in 2026, evenly split between 22 home contests at Chase Center and 22 road matchups across the WNBA. With the team having sold out all 22 home games in their inaugural 2025 season and averaging 18,064 fans per game, securing tickets early is essential for the 2026 campaign.

To plan ahead, you can explore Golden State Valkyries tickets on TicketX and compare options for both home and away games throughout the season. 

Home Opener: May 10 vs Phoenix Mercury

The Valkyries' 2026 home opener takes place on Sunday, May 10, at 5:30 PM PT at Chase Center against the Phoenix Mercury. This marquee matchup marks the first home game of the season, following the road opener on May 8 at Seattle. Chase Center is located at 1 Warriors Way in San Francisco's Mission Bay neighborhood.

All 22 Home Games at Chase Center

The Valkyries' 22 home games at Chase Center are distributed throughout the season from May through September (with the FIBA World Cup break interrupting league play from August 31 to September 16). Weekend games (Friday through Sunday) typically start in the late afternoon or early evening, while weekday games generally tip off at 7:00 PM PT.

The home schedule includes key rivalry matchups against California-based opponents like the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury, as well as anticipated games featuring Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever, May 28) and A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces, May 31).

The Valkyries set WNBA all-time attendance records in 2025 with 397,408 total fans across their inaugural season. This unprecedented fan support means Chase Center will maintain its reputation as one of the league's most electric atmospheres throughout the 2026 season.

Away Schedule Overview: Road Game Distribution

The Valkyries' 22 road games take them across the United States and Canada, visiting all 14 WNBA teams including the two new 2026 expansion teams, Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. The away schedule begins with the season opener on May 8 at Seattle Storm.

The 2026 WNBA season features a record 330 total regular season games across the league, with 216 of those games scheduled for national broadcast. West Coast road trips to Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas offer convenient travel options for Bay Area fans wanting to follow the team on the road.

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Commissioner's Cup, Preseason & Playoffs Schedule 2026

The 2026 WNBA season includes three distinct competitive phases beyond the regular season: the Commissioner's Cup mid-season tournament, preseason games and the playoffs.

Commissioner's Cup Tournament: Which Games Count & Format

The Commissioner's Cup is the WNBA's mid-season tournament where specific regular season games count toward tournament standings. For the 2026 season, designated games against conference opponents during the first half of the season count as Commissioner's Cup games. Notably, the Valkyries' June 6 game at Las Vegas is a Commissioner's Cup matchup broadcast on ABC.

The tournament format features the top team from each conference advancing to the Commissioner's Cup Championship Game, traditionally held in mid-July before the All-Star break.

Preseason Schedule & Training Camp Dates

The Valkyries' 2026 training camp begins in late April, with preseason games scheduled for early May before the regular season opener on May 8.

2026 WNBA Playoffs Schedule & Postseason Format

The 2026 WNBA playoffs begin after the regular season concludes on September 24, 2026. The expanded 15-team league features a playoff format where the top eight teams qualify for postseason competition. The playoff structure includes first-round best-of-three series, followed by best-of-five semifinals and best-of-five WNBA Finals. Home court advantage throughout the playoffs is determined by regular season record.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Valkyries Schedule

If you’re planning to follow the Golden State Valkyries throughout the 2026 season, you may still have a few questions about key dates, game times, and how the schedule is structured. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions fans have about the Valkyries’ 2026 schedule—from the season opener and home games to broadcast details and major matchups—so you can stay prepared and never miss a key moment.

When is the Valkyries home opener in 2026?

The Golden State Valkyries home opener is scheduled for Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM PT at Chase Center against the Phoenix Mercury. The season actually begins two days earlier on May 8 with a road game at Seattle, but the May 10 home opener represents the first opportunity for fans to see the team at Chase Center in 2026.

How many home games do the Valkyries play?

The Golden State Valkyries play 22 home games at Chase Center during the 2026 regular season. This represents exactly half of the team's 44-game regular season schedule, with the remaining 22 games played on the road. All 22 home games were sold out in 2025, making Chase Center one of the most electric atmospheres in professional basketball.

When does the 2026 Valkyries season start?

The 2026 Golden State Valkyries season officially begins on Friday, May 8, 2026, with a road game at Seattle. The team's first home game follows two days later on May 10 against Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center. The 2026 season marks the league's expansion to 15 teams with the addition of Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, resulting in a record 330 total regular season games and 216 nationally broadcast games across the WNBA.

Key Season Dates:

• Season opener: May 8, 2026 (at Seattle)

• Home opener: May 10, 2026 (vs Phoenix Mercury, 5:30 PM PT)

• All-Star Weekend: July 24-25, 2026 (Chicago)

• FIBA World Cup break: August 31 – September 16, 2026

• Regular season finale: September 24, 2026

• Total regular season games: 44

• Home games at Chase Center: 22

How can I watch Valkyries games on TV?

The Golden State Valkyries will appear on national television for 28 games across ABC, CBS, ESPN, ION, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, and USA Network during the 2026 season. Fans can also stream games through WNBA League Pass for comprehensive coverage of all 44 regular season games.

When do the Valkyries play Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever?

The Golden State Valkyries will face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever three times during the 2026 regular season:

• May 22: At Indiana Fever (ION)

• May 28: vs Indiana Fever at Chase Center (Prime Video)

• July 15: At Indiana Fever (USA Network)

Clark, who won the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award in her debut season with the Fever, has helped drive massive television audiences for her games. The Valkyries' record-breaking attendance of 397,408 total fans in 2025 suggests that the Fever home game at Chase Center will be among the hottest tickets of the year.

What time do weekend games start at Chase Center?

Weekend games at Chase Center typically feature afternoon and early evening start times to accommodate family attendance and national television broadcasts. Most Saturday games start between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM Pacific Time, while Sunday games often feature 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, or 5:30 PM starts (the home opener on Sunday, May 10 begins at 5:30 PM PT). The exact start time for each game is listed on the official Valkyries schedule.

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