Get ready for a thrilling WNBA season ahead, as the Golden State Valkyries gear up for their 2026 campaign, but here’s the kicker: the schedule is out, yet the future remains uncertain due to ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. Will the season start on time? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, let’s dive into what promises to be an electrifying lineup of games for the Bay Area’s beloved team.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the unresolved negotiations, the Valkyries’ schedule offers a glimpse into a season packed with high-stakes matchups and strategic challenges. Kicking off on May 8 against the Seattle Storm and wrapping up on September 24 against the Los Angeles Sparks, the Valkyries will spend both their season opener and closer on the road. Their home debut? A May 10 showdown with the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center.
Throughout the five-month regular season, the Valkyries will face three back-to-back road games, including a grueling stretch against the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever on May 21-22, and another against the Connecticut Sun and Liberty on August 26-27. Fans can look forward to a home back-to-back when the Valkyries host the Portland Fire and Seattle Storm on September 18-19.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Superstar Caitlin Clark will grace the Bay Area with her presence just once this season, on May 28, during a homestand that also features the defending champion Las Vegas Aces three days later. Will Clark’s lone appearance live up to the hype? Only time will tell.
The Valkyries are set to play nine weekend games at Chase Center, with three on Fridays, two on Saturdays, and four on Sundays. However, here’s the wildcard: an expansion draft and a highly anticipated free agency period could shake up rosters before the season begins. Add to that the ongoing negotiations between the league and the players association, and you’ve got a recipe for potential disruption.
After defying the odds last season to become the first expansion team to make the playoffs, the Valkyries’ 2026 schedule is loaded with marquee matchups against the league’s biggest stars and a pivotal August road trip. Let’s break down six must-watch games:
1. May 10 vs. Phoenix Mercury: The Valkyries’ home opener pits them against a team fresh off a WNBA Finals appearance. Last season, the Mercury swept the Valkyries, but a packed Chase Center could shift the tide this time around.
2. May 28 vs. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark’s only Bay Area appearance is a can’t-miss event. While Clark struggled against the Valkyries last season, her star power guarantees a sold-out crowd.
3. May 31 vs. Las Vegas Aces: This rematch against the defending champions will be a true test of the Valkyries’ mettle. Last season, Golden State stunned Las Vegas in a nationally televised game but struggled against Aces’ star A’ja Wilson in subsequent matchups. Adding to the intrigue? Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase faces off against her mentor, Becky Hammon.
4. June 17 vs. Dallas Wings: The Commissioner’s Cup finale features rookie sensation Paige Bueckers, who averaged 18.3 points per game against the Valkyries last season. This game could be a pivotal moment in the Valkyries’ season.
5. August 30 at Portland Fire: This game is less about the opponent and more about its placement in a grueling five-game, 10-day road trip. It’s the last game before the WNBA’s two-week break for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
6. September 24 at Los Angeles Sparks: The season concludes with a road game against in-state rival Los Angeles Sparks, featuring former Stanford star Cameron Brink. Last season, the Valkyries dominated the Sparks, but will history repeat itself?
Thought-provoking question for you: With the Valkyries’ schedule packed with high-profile matchups and the league’s future hanging in the balance, do you think this season will live up to the hype? Or will off-court negotiations steal the spotlight? Let us know in the comments!
