The WNBA announced its 2019 schedule Tuesday, and it includes 16 regular-season telecasts on ESPN networks.
The WNBA opens on May 24 with two games: Indiana at New York and Dallas at Atlanta. The Dream announced Tuesday that they will return to refurbished State Farm Arena (previously called Philips Arena) in Atlanta this season after playing the past two years at Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion.
Coverage by ESPN networks begins on ABC on May 25, when defending champion Seattle hosts Phoenix at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Storm will play this season at University of Washington's Alaska Airlines Arena while KeyArena is being refurbished.
Also on May 25, last season's runner-up, Washington, opens at Connecticut, and Chicago will open at four-time champion Minnesota.
Then on May 26, Los Angeles and Las Vegas get their seasons started in Vegas. That city also will host the WNBA All-Star Game on July 27 at 3:30 ET on ABC. There will be two additional games on ABC: Los Angeles at Minnesota on June 8 at 3:30 p.m. ET, and Seattle at Connecticut on June 16, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
In all, ESPN networks will broadcast two regular-season games in May, four in June, three in July plus the All-Star Game, five in August, and two in September.
"ESPN is thrilled to once again bring fans a stellar lineup of WNBA action," said Carol Stiff, ESPN vice president of programming and acquisitions. "We are committed to showcasing the sport and its stars with more marquee matchups than ever before available on ABC and ESPN."
All 16 matchups on the ESPN networks will feature at least one former No. 1 draft pick. Seattle, Phoenix and Los Angeles will appear five times on ESPN network-televised games, while Minnesota, Washington and Connecticut will appear four times.
The entire 2019 WNBA schedule is available on the league's website.
"We're excited that ESPN will feature expanded coverage of WNBA games in the 2019 season," WNBA interim president Mark Tatum said. "The enhanced schedule reflects ESPN's commitment to the WNBA and gives our fans additional opportunities on ESPN networks to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level."