The WNBA’s 30th anniversary celebration peaks tonight at the United Center in Chicago. Tip-off for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. That timing puts the league’s brightest talent on a massive prime-time stage.
Finding the broadcast is straightforward. You can catch the game live nationally on ABC. If you prefer a digital feed, the matchup features extensive broadcast availability on ABC and streaming options via ESPN+, Disney+, and the ESPN App. International fans haven’t been left out either, as they can log into the WNBA League Pass.
This isn’t a standard East versus West exhibition. Honoring the 30th season, the WNBA tapped two massive legends to run the draft. You will see Team Coop take on Team Spoon tonight. It is a direct nod to honorary general managers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon and selected game starters. Those two Hall of Famers built their squads from a consolidated pool of 22 available All-Stars.
Star power is heavy on both sides of the court. A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Breanna Stewart, and Caitlin Clark headline the starting 10. They were picked through a mix of fan, player, and media voting. There is one notable injury substitution. Kahleah Copper stepped in to replace Kelsey Plum. Plum suffered a lower leg injury and cannot play. Fans looking for the complete TV and live stream schedule, start time, and rosters online can access the full details before tip-off.
Tonight’s main event wraps up a busy stretch in Chicago. It directly follows Friday’s Kia WNBA Shooting Stars and State Farm WNBA 3-Point Contest.
The 30th Anniversary Draft Strategy
Using the legends format bridges the league’s past with its current explosion in popularity. By putting Cooper and Weatherspoon in control, the WNBA connects the foundational players of the 1990s with modern record-breakers like Clark and Wilson. It abandons the usual conference-based format entirely. That creates entirely new on-court rivalries for one night.