The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup returns in 2025 with a tighter schedule, expanded field, and greater competitive significance. Introduced in 2021 as part of a broader effort to boost player compensation and visibility, the Cup has evolved into a defining feature of the league’s early season and a proving ground for championship contenders.
A Tournament Built Into the Regular Season
The Minnesota Lynx are your 2024 Commissioner Cup Champions
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) June 26, 2024
Final score 94-89#wnba pic.twitter.com/KeSuGOsKSH
Unlike a traditional bracketed event, the Commissioner’s Cup is fully integrated into the WNBA’s regular-season calendar. Select early-season matchups are designated as Cup games, each carrying added weight in determining which teams advance to the championship game.
This season, Eastern Conference teams will each play five Cup games, while teams in the Western Conference will play six due to the addition of the Golden State Valkyries. All Cup games take place between June 1 and June 17, providing the tournament with a clear window of focus without disrupting the overall season's rhythm.
There is no separate schedule—these games are regular-season contests but flagged for Cup purposes. Teams receive either three home games and two road games or vice versa, depending on the draw.
Path to the Final
At the conclusion of the Cup window, the team in each conference with the best Cup game record qualifies for the Commissioner’s Cup Final, scheduled for July 1. If necessary, tiebreakers are applied based on head-to-head results, point differential, and total points scored.
The championship will be hosted by the finalist with the highest overall winning percentage at the end of the Cup window—a distinction that reflects overall season strength, not just Cup success.
Financial and Competitive Incentives
What sets the Cup apart is the substantial prize pool: $500,000 awarded to the winning team. Given the WNBA’s salary cap structure, these payouts can significantly impact player earnings, particularly for those on lower-tier contracts.
In addition, players participating in the Cup Final receive a bonus in cryptocurrency, totaling $120,000 league-wide. A social justice component also ties into the Cup, with charitable donations made to nonprofit organizations selected by the players.
Competitive Trends and Historical Significance
Cheryl Reeve on the importance of the Commissioners Cup and the Minnesota Lynx at the top of the West.
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) June 25, 2024
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While the Cup began as a new experiment in 2021, it has since emerged as a consistent indicator of Finals-level performance. In recent years, the two teams that advanced to the Cup Final have often met again in the WNBA Finals later that season.
Even when the Cup winner has fallen short of a championship, the tournament has provided an early-season benchmark for identifying serious title threats. In that sense, it functions as more than just an in-season cash prize—it is now part of the league’s competitive ecosystem.
The Cup has seen four different winners through its first four editions:
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Seattle Storm | Connecticut Sun |
| 2022 | Las Vegas Aces | Chicago Sky |
| 2023 | New York Liberty | Las Vegas Aces |
| 2024 | Minnesota Lynx | New York Liberty |
No team has repeated as Cup champion, and in three of the last four years, the Cup Final has served as a preview of the WNBA Finals.
Updated Format Improves Clarity
The league initially launched the Cup with a wider footprint and scattered game schedule. That version often confused players and fans alike, with limited visibility into which games counted.
The current streamlined model, with a fixed two-week window and simplified structure, has made it easier for everyone to track standings and understand the stakes.
2025 Opening Commissioner Cup Games
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1 | Sun at Liberty | 3:00 PM | WNBA League Pass |
| June 1 | Mercury at Sparks | 6:00 PM | WNBA League Pass |
| June 1 | Aces at Storm | 6:00 PM | WNBA League Pass |
| June 1 | Lynx at Valkyries | 8:30 PM | WNBA League Pass |
| June 3 | Mystics at Fever | 7:00 PM | NBA TV, Sling |
| June 3 | Mercury at Lynx | 8:00 PM | ESPN3, Sling |
| June 3 | Wings at Storm | 9:30 PM | ESPN, Sling |
| June 5 | Liberty at Mystics | 7:30 PM | Prime Video |
The full Cup schedule continues through June 17, with games available on a variety of platforms, including ESPN, NBA TV, Prime Video, WNBA League Pass, and Sling.
A Growing Tradition
Now entering its fifth year, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup has become more than an experimental concept. It is a structured, high-stakes opportunity to earn income, support community causes, and test early-season chemistry in a meaningful way.
With visibility growing and past Cup contenders proving their playoff credentials, the 2025 edition may once again point the way to October.
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