WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, explained: Format, schedule, standings and more to know about league's tournament

The WNBA kicked off its regular season and the annual Commissioner’s Cup challenge in mid-May.

The first Commissioner’s Cup Trophy was won by the Seattle Storm in 2021, and last year’s prize was handed to the Las Vegas Aces.

This in-season tournament has nothing to do with the actual playoffs, unlike the NBA’s Play-In Tournament. It is held for entertainment and charitable purposes.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Commissioner’s Cup.

MORE: Full list of starters for 2023 WNBA All-Star Game

How does the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup work?

The Commissioner’s Cup is a relatively new part of the WNBA calendar, as it has now existed for just three seasons. The in-season competition, which pits conference rivals against each other, is presented by Coinbase.

Last year, the league added another platform that allowed teams to provide funding to local non-profits. (You can find the full list of non-profits here.) Following each Commissioner’s Cup game, the WNBA donated $2,000 to the winning team’s organization and $500 to the losing team’s organization.

Again, the Commissioner’s Cup is held during the regular season. The Eastern and Western Conference teams with the highest winning percentages will battle it out for the title and a $500,000 prize.

When does the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup start?

The Commissioner’s Cup actually started on May 19, which also marked the start of the 2023 regular season. The last set of Commissioner’s Cup games will be played on July 12.

The championship game will be played on Aug. 15.

MORE: Watch Ion TV WNBA games on Fubo (free trial)