WNBA free agency dates announced for 2026 season

WNBA free agencyis starting sooner rather than later as the march towards the 2026 season continues.

USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the league announced dates for WNBA free agency, which will unfold over the course of the next week. Due to a delayedCBA agreement, which wasn't agreed to in principle until March 18, free agency isn't beginning as it typically would in January.

The WNBA's free agency period will open Monday, April 6, with the start of the designation period, which will continue until April 7. Qualifying offers and core player designations will be sent during the two-day window.

The negotiation period will begin on Wednesday, April 8, continuing for three days. Following the negotiation period, teams and players will be able to sign new contracts on Saturday, April 11.

Advertisement

Two days after free agency ends on April 11, the WNBA will hold the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York on April 13.

Training camp begins on April 19, with the WNBA preseason starting on Saturday, April 25, with a matchup between the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty.

The 2026 WNBA season begins on Friday, May 8, as the Connecticut Sun and Liberty open play for the league's 30th season at 7:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in New York.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:WNBA free agency and draft dates revealed 2026 season

WNBA free agency dates announced for 2026 season

WNBA free agencyis starting sooner rather than later as the march towards the 2026 season continues. On Sunday,...
Kawhi Leonard scores 26 points to lead the Clippers to a 138-109 win over the Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points and the Los Angeles Clippers snapped a two-game skid by beating the Sacramento Kings 138-109 on Sunday night to improve their playoff positioning.

Associated Press Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is guarded by Sacramento Kings guard Killian Hayes (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Randall Benton) Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris, center, Dunn is guarded by Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Randall Benton) Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) drives past Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Randall Benton) Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie shouts instructions from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Clippers Kings Basketball

Leonard scored 13 points in the first quarter as the Clippers raced out to a double-digit lead and coasted against a Kings team playing out the string of a lost season.

John Collins added 25 points, and Darius Garland and Kobe Sanders each had 17 for Los Angeles.

The Clippers moved into a tie for eighth place in the Western Conference with Portland with four games to play. The eighth-place team will have two shots to get into the playoffs through the play-in tournament.

Devin Carter scored 21 points and Nique Clifford had 18 to lead Sacramento. Maxime Raynaud had 11 points and 16 rebounds for his 18th double-double of the season, the most among all rookies.

Advertisement

The Kings, who had won their previous two games, remained in a tie with Utah for the fourth-worst record in the NBA at 21-58 with three games left. Sacramento is tied for the third-most losses in franchise history, having lost 59 games in 1989-90 and 65 in 2008-09.

DeMar DeRozan scored nine points in 10 minutes in the first half to give him 26,711 career points, moving past Oscar Robertson (26,710) for 16th place on the NBA list. DeRozan didn't play at all in the second half.

Up next

Clippers: Host Dallas on Tuesday night.

Kings: Visit Golden State on Tuesday night.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Kawhi Leonard scores 26 points to lead the Clippers to a 138-109 win over the Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points and the Los Angeles Clippers snapped a two-game skid by beating ...
It's a boy! Scottie Scheffler arrives at Masters with 9-day-old son and a game he hopes is ready

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler arrived at Augusta National on Sunday, and he brought the whole family with him. All four of them.

Associated Press FILE - Scottie Scheffler walks off the green on the 18th hole during the final round at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) Sophia Eagan lines up a putt in the Drive Chip & Putt National Finals at the Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Texas Terry hugs his dad Jim, after winning the boys 12-13 bracket in the Drive Chip & Putt National Finals at the Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) FILE - Scottie Scheffler puts the green Jacket on winner, Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, at the Masters golf tournament, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Masters Golf

Scheffler, who tends to keep his golf separate from his home life, had not shared any information sincewithdrawing from the Houston Open two weeks agobecause of the impending birth of his second child. He said wife Meredith gave birth to a boy on March 27. They named him Remy.

"We just liked it," Scheffler said about the name. His first son, Bennett, was born in 2024 before the PGA Championship. "We didn't have very many good boy names, to be honest with you."

There he was, in a stroller Meredith was pushing under the famous oak tree by the clubhouse, 9 days old and already at his first Masters.

It added to the sights rarely seen anywhere else on the Sunday before a major. That holds true with so much about the Masters.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy has been at the club all weekend, watching theAugusta National Women's Amateuron Saturday and handing out trophies to a group of boys in the annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on Sunday.

McIlroy has talked about how much he looked forward to returning as the Masters champion and enjoying all the perks that go with it. He was in his green jacket during the Drive, Chip and Putt, and posed with Maria Jose Marin, the ANWA winner and first Colombian to join the roll call of Augusta National winners.

Then he headed out to the golf course with his father, Gerry, and Augusta member Jimmy Dunne. Next up is the Masters Club dinner Tuesday andthe elaborate menuhe has put together.

"It is the most exclusive dinner club in all of sport, and I think we should all feel very fortunate that we are there," he told Golf Channel after his part in the trophy presentation Sunday. "But we're there because of the hard work and the good play that we've been able to produce."

He also mentioned two players who won't be at the dinner — Tiger Woods, arrested and briefly jailed for suspicion of driving under the influence during aMarch 27 car crash, and Phil Mickelson, who is tending to a personal health matter at home.

"Unfortunately, there will be a couple of guys that won't be in that room, which is a shame, but I want to make sure that they're acknowledged as well," McIlroy said. "They've been two of the greatest champions that the Masters has ever seen. But it's going to be a really cool night. I can't wait. I hope everyone enjoys the dinner and enjoys everything that I've selected."

Advertisement

Bryson DeChambeau also was at Augusta National on Saturday for the end of the ANWA, consoling Asterisk Talley after the 17-year-old hit two shots into Rae's Creek for a quadruple-bogey 7 on the par-3 12th hole that cost her a chance to win.

DeChambeau grew up about 45 minutes away from where Talley lives in the central valley of California. They know each other well.

"Obviously, I've had difficult moments in my career, and if there's anything I can do to support her, that's what I'm here for. That's why I'm here to support," DeChambeau told reporters Saturday.

He teed off Sunday by himself after the DC&P was over, walking to slap hands and pose for photos with kids and spectators some 100 yards down the right side of the tee. "I've got to go play," he told them before running to catch up with his caddie. There are exceptions for running at Augusta National.

Also there was Gary Player, the three-time Masters champion who will be hitting the honorary tee shot on Thursday. The Black Night was on the putting green as the Boys 7-9 division was preparing for its putting competition on the 18th green.

There was 8-year-old Landyn Kelly from Henderson, Nevada, rapping 40-foot putts toward the hole with 90-year-old Player watching with amazement.

"What a touch! What a touch he has, man!" Player exclaimed.

Scheffler took this Sunday to play with Blake Smith, his longtime manager, who had never played Augusta National. Scheffler and McIlroy are fighting some history this week. Adam Scott in 2013 is the last player to win the Masters after having three weeks off.

"I've been practicing," Scheffler said. "I've been able to do a good amount at home."

AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

It's a boy! Scottie Scheffler arrives at Masters with 9-day-old son and a game he hopes is ready

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler arrived at Augusta National on Sunday, and he brought the...
Dazzling outfits and colorful hats shine at New York Easter parade, in photos

NEW YORK (AP) — People wearing decorated hats and costumes participated in an Easter parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Sunday.

Associated Press Tommi May wears a costume of balloons as they participate in the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) A chihuahua dog named Bianca wears a hat during the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) People participate in the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) Two people wearing bunny masks drink at a bar during the Easter Bonnet Parade, Sunday, April 5, 2026 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) Nolan, 11, poses for a photograph during the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) People wearing balloon costumes stand inside a building at Rockefeller Center during heavy rainfall at the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) Viola Emerson, 17, poses for a photograph during the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) People participate in the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) Kerry Auld wears a pigeon themed hat during the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) People participate in the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) People participate in the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) Heavily armed New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers stand guard outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral, as Lisa Neville takes part in the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) Stanley feeds his cat Picco during the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) People participate in the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) Henrieta Scholtzova stands inside Rockefeller Center during the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

APTOPIX US Easter

Advertisement

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Dazzling outfits and colorful hats shine at New York Easter parade, in photos

NEW YORK (AP) — People wearing decorated hats and costumes participated in an Easter parade on Fifth Avenue in New York o...
Frenchman executed by China for drug trafficking

A French citizen convicted of drug trafficking has beenexecutedin China after being kept on death row for more than 15 years.

The Telegraph Chan Thao Phoumy

Chan Thao Phoumy, 62, was executed in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, despite French authorities' clemency appeals, the French foreign ministry said.

Chan, born in Guangzhou but later a naturalised ‌French citizen, ​was one ⁠of 89 suspects arrested in 2005 for drug trafficking before being jailed for ⁠life in 2007.

He was ​handed the death penalty in 2010 by a court in ​his home town for his role in a 100 million yuan (£11m) ‌drug operation that made, transported ​and dealt crystal methamphetamine in ⁠China.

China's ⁠threshold for the death penalty is 50g (1.8oz) of heroin or methamphetamine.

The ministry's statement expressed "consternation" and added: "We particularly regret that Mr Chan's defence did not have access to the final court hearing, which constitutes a violation of his rights."

"We extend our condolences to his family, whose grief we share," it said.

Advertisement

In a short statement that did not mention Chan by name, the Chinese embassy in Paris said that China "treats defendants of all nationalities equally, handles all cases impartially and strictly in accordance with the law".

France abolished the death penalty in 1981, and has become a vigorous campaigner against its use and for its abolition everywhere.

China's use of executions – carried out by firing squads or lethal injections – is shrouded in secrecy but has long been extensive. Amnesty International says China is the world's leading executioner, believed to sentence and put to death thousands of people annually.

In December, Chinaexecuted a former senior bankerfor accepting £116m in bribes in a corruption purge by Xi Jinping, the president.

Bai Tianhui, the former general manager of the asset management firm China Huarong International Holdings, was killed in the northern city of Tianjin.

According to prosecutors, Bai abused his position in the state-owned offshore investment company between 2014 and 2018, having accepted a "huge amount" of bribes totalling 1.1 billion yuan.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.

Frenchman executed by China for drug trafficking

A French citizen convicted of drug trafficking has beenexecutedin China after being kept on death row for more than 15 ye...

 

MON SEVEN © 2015 | Distributed By My Blogger Themes | Designed By Templateism.com