The WNBA will pick up where it left off at the start of the 2025 season, building on the star power of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
The schedule for next year’s upcoming season was released earlier this week, with the WNBA expected to make a statement with the opening roster.
Rivals Clark and Reese are set to immediately face off in a blockbuster showdown when the Indiana Fever take on the Chicago Sky on May 17 in the first game of the season for both teams.
The pair faced each other four times as rookies last season, with Clark coming out on top in three of their clashes.
She also got the best of her rival in the race for Rookie of the Year, but Reese’s lone vote kept her from winning the awards unanimously.
Their blockbuster rivalry, which dates back to their collegiate days, was the biggest bill for the WNBA last season and drew big crowds.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will face off in their opening game of the 2025 WNBA season
The league (commissioner photo Cathy Engelbert) will continue to capitalize on their star power
One of the games between the Sky and the Fever was sold out, with the Gainbridge Fieldhouse hosting more than 17,000 fans for the fourth time during the 2024 regular season.
A home game for Chicago against Indiana in August also drew a sold-out crowd of 9,445 to Wintrust Arena on Barbie Night – a nod to Reese’s nickname in college at LSU, Bayou Barbie.
NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal, as well as Sue Bird and soccer star Megan Rapinoe even graced the stands.
After their opening match, Reese and Clark will face off four more times throughout the 2025 season, with the WNBA clearly cashing in on their call.
Meanwhile, 2024 champions New York Liberty will host their ring ceremony on May 17 before their matchup with the Las Vegas Aces.
The league will officially raise the curtain the day before with the Atlanta Dream at the Washington Mystics and the Minnesota Lynx at the Dallas Wings opening the season at 7:30 PM ET.
The league’s newest expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries, will make their bow on May 16, hosting their first home game at Chase Center against the Los Angeles Sparks at 10 PM ET.