WNBA Free Agency Opens Monday With Fast-Track Offers

New CBA brings changes to free agency process, with teams having just 2 days to make qualifying offers.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:39am

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The WNBA and its players' union have agreed to start free agency on Monday, April 6, 2026. Teams will have a 48-hour window to send qualifying offers to players they have reserved rights for, as well as the ability to offer a franchise tag to one eligible player. After that, teams can begin meeting with unrestricted free agents starting Wednesday, with contracts able to be offered starting Saturday.

Why it matters

The WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement, which was unanimously ratified last month, has brought significant changes to the free agency process. With over 80% of the league's players set to become free agents, this fast-track window will create a more accelerated and competitive environment as teams look to retain or acquire top talent.

The details

Under the new CBA, teams will have just two days to send qualifying offers to players they have reserved rights for. They will also have the ability to offer a franchise tag to one eligible player. After that, teams can begin meeting with unrestricted free agents starting Wednesday, with the ability to offer them contracts starting Saturday. This is a much shorter timeframe than in previous years, when teams had several weeks to court free agents.

  • Free agency will open on Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • Teams will have 48 hours to send qualifying offers to players they have reserved rights for.
  • Teams can begin meeting with unrestricted free agents on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Teams can begin offering contracts to unrestricted free agents on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The WNBA draft is scheduled for April 13, 2026 in New York.

The players

Lexie Brown

A veteran player who is signed for the upcoming WNBA season with the Seattle Storm.

Kalani Brown

A veteran player who is signed for the upcoming WNBA season with the Phoenix Mercury.

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What’s next

The WNBA draft is scheduled for April 13, 2026 in New York, following the fast-track free agency period.

The takeaway

The WNBA's new free agency rules under the latest CBA will create a more accelerated and competitive environment as teams look to retain or acquire top talent, with over 80% of the league's players set to become free agents this offseason.