What Is the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup? Format, History & Winners

WNBA Commissioner’s Cup trophy 2025

Every sports season, the playoffs usually attract the greatest number of spectators, but the NBA and WNBA have been promoting regular-season games by introducing a “Cup” competition. Originally called the In-Season Tournament, the NBA Cup made its debut in 2023. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup was postponed from its initial 2020 season start date to 2021. The NBA and WNBA Cup tournaments, which are distinct from respective league’s overall titles, select winners a few months into the season.

What is the process for the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup?

Five games for Eastern Conference teams and six for Western Conference teams are played during the regular season. To determine the rankings, each team competes against the other teams in their respective conferences. The top teams from the Eastern and Western conferences compete for the championship, with tiebreakers used if needed. These games also count for regular-season win-loss records, with the exception of the title game.

When is the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup?

The tournament took place between June 1 and June 17. On July 1st, the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx played their championship game at Minnesota’s Target Center at 8 p.m. ET.

What is the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup prize money?

The winners will receive a total of $500,000. Each player in the championship game will receive $5,000 from the $120,000 in cryptocurrency that Coinbase has contributed to the prize pool. In terms of philanthropy, each team collaborates with an organization during the competition. More money is given to selected charity with each Commissioner’s Cup victory.

Which teams have won the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup?