The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup is back for its sixth year! Back in 2021, the league debuted a new in-season tournament among all teams, taking place during a designated window in the regular season. Now, with the W celebrating its 30th year and two brand-new expansion teams, the competition is only getting bigger and better.
This year’s theme is “Our Game, Our Legacy,” aiming to highlight, celebrate and give back to the organizations and community leaders throughout the WNBA markets and communities.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert states, “The Commissioner’s Cup in-season tournament has become a premier tentpole series on the WNBA calendar because it offers elite competition showcasing conference match ups, high caliber play, and meaningful community impact,”. She continued, “As we celebrate the WNBA’s 30th season, ‘Our Game, Our Legacy’ shines a light on the organizations and community leaders – from longstanding team partners to groups helping our newest teams build roots in their communities – who have helped shape the identity and impact of WNBA teams over time. Together with Coinbase, the players and teams, the WNBA is proud to continue using the power of sport to create lasting impact beyond the game.”
How the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup Will Work + Prize Money
Starting today, June 1, each WNBA matchup until June 17—a total of 49 games—will not only count towards a team’s regular-season record but also towards their Commissioner’s Cup standing.
The 50th game, the Championship, will be played between a team from both the Western and Eastern conferences with the best Cup record, hosted by the team with the best winning percentage across Cup play.
The prize pool will remain at $500,000 and be shared amongst the players of the Championship Game winning team.
This year, the teams will also be competing for donations to be made to their selected nonprofit organizations—over $200,000 is at play. For each Cup game won, the winning team will earn $3,000 of donated money for their organization. The losing team will earn $1,000. The Commissioner’s Cup champions’ designated organization will receive an additional $10,000 donation, while the runner-up team’s organization will receive $5,000.
WNBA Teams Partner Organizations
Atlanta Dream — The King Center
Chicago Sky — Girls in the Game
Connecticut Sun — United Way of Southeastern Connecticut
Dallas Wings — Young Leaders, Strong City
Golden State Valkyries — Youth Uprising
Indiana Fever — Coburn Place
Las Vegas Aces — Public Education Foundation
Los Angeles Sparks — Brotherhood Crusade
Minnesota Lynx — Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
New York Liberty — African American Policy Forum
Phoenix Mercury — Chicanos Por La Causa
Portland Fire — Black Parent Initiative
Seattle Storm — King County Library System Foundation
Toronto Tempo — Lay-Up
Washington Mystics — Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation
