The Washington Mystics announced their 2026 preseason schedule on Wednesday, revealing key dates and ticket information for fans ahead of the new season. The team will begin its preseason campaign at CareFirst Arena on Saturday, April 25, facing the Minnesota Lynx before traveling to Atlanta to challenge the Dream on May 3. Both matchups will be broadcast on Monumental Sports Network and Monumental+.
Ticket Availability for Home Matches and Special Events
Single-game tickets are currently on sale for the Mystics’ home opener scheduled for Sunday, May 10, against the New York Liberty. Additionally, tickets for the September 24 game versus the Chicago Sky at Capital One Arena have been released. Supporters interested in purchasing tickets for these games, as well as special promotions like Brunch & Basketball, can do so through the official Mystics website. Further details regarding other single-game ticket sales will be shared soon.
Ongoing Labor Disputes Threaten Season Start and Player Draft
With the preseason now less than two months away, a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the players’ union has not yet been finalized, casting uncertainty over the upcoming season’s timeline. New teams, including the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, remain without finalized rosters due to this stalemate. This dispute also places the April 13 WNBA draft and the intended May 8 season opener in jeopardy.
In efforts to reach a resolution, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association submitted a counterproposal to the league on Tuesday, seeking concessions such as revenue sharing and improved housing conditions. Specifically, the players’ union is requesting 27.5% of gross revenue over the term of the agreement. An official WNBA spokesperson responded:
“The Players Association’s latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams,”
“We still need to complete two Drafts [a two-team expansion draft and college draft] and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time. We believe the WNBA’s proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come.”
Impact and Outlook for the Washington Mystics and the League
The unresolved labor negotiations introduce significant tension and concern around the 2026 season, affecting the Washington Mystics and the entire WNBA landscape. Without a timely agreement, important milestones such as player drafts, roster finalizations, and the season opener may face delays or disruptions. Fans, players, and teams alike await a resolution that balances financial sustainability with fair player compensation, ensuring the league’s growth for current athletes and future generations.
