Fever Expansion Draft Primer: Rules, Key Decisions, What to Watch
A breakdown of the 2026 WNBA expansion draft, including rules, format, and the key protection decision facing the Indiana Fever.
The first official WNBA event of the 2026 season arrives today.
For the second straight year, the league will hold an expansion draft as it grows from 13 to 15 teams. The draft begins at 3:30 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN.
This comes just two weeks after the WNBA and WNBPA reached agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.. Negotiations centered on revenue sharing, a significant increase in player salaries, and improved working conditions across the league.
The two new franchises — Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire — will begin building their rosters. Expansion will continue in the coming years, with teams in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030) already announced.
Last week, the league conducted a coin toss to determine draft positioning. The winning team had the option to choose between the No. 1 pick in the expansion draft or the No. 6 pick — instead of No. 7 — in the upcoming WNBA Draft.
