The 2025 WNBA season is off to a fiery start, and fans are already buzzing with excitement. The New York Liberty who were last year’s champions, are steamrolling the Eastern Conference with a dominant 7-0 record. Meanwhile, out West, the Minnesota Lynx are showing no signs of slowing down, also going undefeated at 8-0.
But while regular-season action heats up, there’s another thrilling competition underway that’s adding even more stakes to the season which is the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
So what exactly is the Commissioner’s Cup and why should fans pay attention? Let’s break it down.
What Is the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup About?
In short, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup is a midseason tournament that gives teams a chance to compete for more than just the regular-season title. Originally planned for 2020, its debut was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and it finally launched in 2021. Since then, it has become a key highlight of the WNBA calendar.
Now in its fifth year, the tournament was created to spice up early-season competition and provide increased financial incentives for players. The Commissioner’s Cup adds extra intensity to the first part of the season, with both bragging rights and bonus money on the line. The 2025 edition runs from June 1 to June 17.
Mark your calendars 🗓️
The race for the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup Championship presented by @Coinbase tips off TOMORROW! Teams will battle it out through June 17 for a shot at the Cup Finals on July 1.
Who will rise to the top and be crowned this year’s champion? pic.twitter.com/mg5ND4jsNo
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 31, 2025
What Is the Format of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup?
The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup centers on early-season matchups within each conference. Each team plays one designated Cup game against every in-conference rival.
In the Eastern Conference, which has six teams, each team plays five Cup games—one against each of the other Eastern teams. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, with seven teams this year, each team plays six Cup games.
What Is the Prize Money of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup?
Once the Commissioner’s Cup games conclude between June 1 and June 17, the top teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences will face off in the Cup Final. Beyond bragging rights, the stakes are high, with a $500,000 prize pool awaiting the winning team.
But that’s not all—Coinbase, the official presenting partner of the Commissioner’s Cup, is sweetening the deal by adding $120,000 worth of cryptocurrency to the rewards. Each player participating in the final will receive $5,000 in crypto, making this midseason championship both a competitive highlight and a significant payday for the athletes.
Schedule of the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup
The games that have already played:
| Date | Games Played | Score |
| Jun-01 | New York Liberty vs. Connecticut Sun | (100-52) |
| Phoenix Mercury vs. Los Angeles Sparks | (85-80) | |
| Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm | (75-70) | |
| Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries | (86-75) | |
| Jun-03 | Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics | (85-76) |
| Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury | (88-65) | |
| Seattle Storm vs. Dallas Wings | (83-77) |
The upcoming games in the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup are as follows, per ESPN:
| Date | Games | Time (E.T.) |
| Jun-05 | New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics | 7:30 PM |
| Golden State Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury | 10:00 PM | |
| Jun-06 | Atlanta Dream vs. Connecticut Sun | 7:30 PM |
| Los Angeles Sparks vs. Dallas Wings | 9:30 PM | |
| Jun-07 | Las Vegas Aces vs. Golden State Valkyries | 3:30 PM |
| Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky | 8:00 PM | |
| Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury | 10:00 PM | |
| Jun-08 | Connecticut Sun vs. Washington Mystics | 3:00 PM |
| Minnesota Lynx vs. Dallas Wings | 4:00 PM | |
| Jun-09 | Golden State Valkyries vs. Los Angeles Sparks | 10:00 PM |
| Jun-10 | Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream | 7:30 PM |
| Chicago Sky vs. New York Liberty | 8:00 PM | |
| Jun-11 | Los Angeles Sparks vs. Las Vegas Aces | 10:00 PM |
| Dallas Wings vs. Phoenix Mercury | 10:00 PM | |
| Minnesota Lynx vs. Seattle Storm | 10:00 PM | |
| Jun-13 | Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream | 7:30 PM |
| Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces | 10:00 PM | |
| Jun-14 | Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx | 1:00 PM |
| New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever | 3:00 PM | |
| Seattle Storm vs. Golden State Valkyries | 8:30 PM | |
| Jun-15 | Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun | 12:00 PM |
| Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics | 2:00 PM | |
| Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces | 6:00 PM | |
| Jun-17 | Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever | 7:00 PM |
| Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty | 7:00 PM | |
| Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky | 8:00 PM | |
| Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings | 8:00 PM | |
| Las Vegas Aces vs. Minnesota Lynx | 8:00 PM | |
| Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks | 10:00 PM |
How to Watch the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup?
Watching the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup has never been easier for fans. The games will air on major networks like ESPN, CBS Sports, and ION. Don’t have cable? No worries—streaming options are available too. You can watch live on Prime Video or catch every play through the WNBA League Pass.
