The Indiana Fever have lifted the curtain on what lies ahead for the 2026 season. A few days after releasing the regular season schedule, the Fever has now unveiled its preseason.

Indiana’s first 2026 preseason game will take place on the road in New York on April 25. This is just six days after training camp opens on April 19. The Fever will then wrap up the preseason against the Dallas Wings. The Wings are also Indiana’s regular-season opening opponent.

With momentum carrying over from a breakthrough 2025 campaign where they made the semifinals, the Fever’s calendar offers excitement and plenty to look forward to, starting with Caitlin Clark’s comeback after an injury derailed her late 2025.

The most anticipated season opener will see a CC vs Paige Bueckers head-on as the 2024 ROTY and 2025 ROTY will meet on Saturday, May 9, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The matchup is expected to feature the league’s four most recent No. 1 overall draft picks: Aliyah Boston (2023) and Caitlin Clark (2024) for Indiana, Paige Bueckers (2025) for Dallas, and the Wings’ 2026 No. 1 pick selection. Fever's 2025 season opener was equally exciting as it tipped off with the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry.

Another important thing about the season opener is that the game also marks the first opening-night meeting between the Fever and Wings since Dallas’ inaugural 2016 season. The Wings won 90–79 then.

But the WNBA’s 44-game calendar still has unanswered questions

The 2026 season also introduces two expansion teams in the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Indiana will face each new franchise three times, hosting Portland on May 20 and Toronto on June 16, while traveling to both further down the season.

Although Indiana’s schedule is loaded with home games, 19 games have been moved to different venues to attract larger crowds. This is to tap into new markets for Toronto and Portland. Compared to last season's nine, only four Fever matches featuring Clark have been moved to larger arenas this year.

Overall, the Fever will play 11 of their final 17 games away from home, concluding the regular season at Minnesota on Sept. 24.

Indiana will also defend their 2025 Commissioner’s Cup title in June.

While excitement surrounds the new schedule, questions still loom. Caitlin Clark’s return after an injury season and the Fever's free agency decision with the ongoing CBA negotiations are still unsolved.

For now, though, the Fever’s preseason reveal and full schedule offer a clear roadmap towards their 2026 season.

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Joyita Das