What is the format for the WNBA playoffs in 2025?

In the US, there is a professional basketball league for women called the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). There are now 13 clubs in the league, with plans to grow to 18 by 2030.

The WNBA was established on April 24, 1996, and league play started in 1997. Each team plays 44 games during the regular season, which spans from May to September. In the past two seasons, teams played 40 games throughout the regular season. However, this season, when the Golden State Valkyries became the 13th team in the league, the number of games increased. Regardless of conference, the top eight teams advance to the playoffs, which end in the October WNBA Finals.

WNBA Playoffs Format in 2025

The 2025 season will see the WNBA Finals presented by YouTube TV switch from the previous best-of-five format to a new best-of-seven format, which was accepted by the WNBA Board of Governors, the WNBA announced in October 2024. The Playoffs will start on 14th September, and the last possible date of the WNBA finals is 19th October.

Of the 13 clubs in the WNBA, the top eight advance to the playoffs, according to the WNBA website. The regular season records of the teams determine their seeding. With a 2-2-1-1-1 format, the better seed will host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 of the 2025 WNBA Finals, while the opponent will host Games 3, 4, and 6. Best-of-three in the First Round, best-of-five in the Semifinals, and a new best-of-seven Finals will be the format of the bracket-style postseason, which will feature three rounds of series play.

What did the WNBA Head of League Operations say?

After consulting with the WNBA’s team presidents, head coaches, general managers, and the Competition Committee, the new 1-1-1 structure for the First Round of the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google will ensure a home game for both teams in a series. This was what the WNBA Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin said.

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