Five, six, seven, ate

The GIST: In case you missed the iconic team social media announcements, the 2025 WNBA schedule is officially out — and the tea is already piping hot. With 163 days until tipoff (not that we’re counting), here’s a sneak peek at the league’s 29th season by the numbers.

44: With an expansion team joining the fold (more on that below), each squad will play 44 regular-season games, the most in league history and a four-game increase from 2024.

5: That’s how many times soon-to-be second-year stars Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever) and Angel Reese (Chicago Sky) will face off in the regular season thanks to the expanded schedule. The friendly rivalry continues.

1: Following last season’s sold-out affair, the Connecticut Sun have already flexed one 2025 game from Mohegan Sun Arena to Boston’s TD Garden, the home of the NBA’s Boston Celtics.

• The move almost doubles capacity from 10K to nearly 20K, a smart decision considering their opponent for the game, the Fever, have the aforementioned and reigning Rookie of the Year Clark.

3: Speaking of the Sun, they’re among the three WNBA teams who still haven’t hired a new head coach, alongside the Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics. Tick tock.

7: That’s how many games we could see in the 2025 WNBA Finals, as the series increases from best-of-five to best-of-seven. The more hoops, the better.

2: In two days, the Golden State Valkyries — the WNBA’s 13th team set to debut next season — will take part in an expansion draft, with the opportunity to pluck 12 players total from the league’s 12 existing teams (with the exception of protected players). The anticipation.

Here’s a riddle: What do Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Santa Claus have in common? A lot more than you’d think.

• ❤️ First, they both look great in red. Full stop.

• 💨 Second, CC and SC always perform well under pressure.

• 🧑‍🎄 And best of all, these two feel right at home IN Indiana.

While Indiana draws crowds for its sports scene year round, Indiana’s small-town-cozy Christmas vibes take center stage during the holiday season. Think displays that light up the state, nostalgic food and drinks, and local traditions that you won’t find anywhere else.

• Satisfy your travel bug and go all-in on spreading cheer this season by using this guide to plan your trip. No need to create holiday magic yourself — Indiana is waiting for you.

🎓🏀 NCAA men’s basketball: No. 15 Baylor vs. No. 25 UConn — Tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET — FS1

• The two-time defending champ Huskies suffered three straight losses to unranked opponents in Maui last week, sending them free falling in the latest AP poll. A win over a ranked Bears squad is exactly what UConn needs, but can they get it done at home?

🎓🏐 NCAA women’s volleyball: National Championship Tournament — Starting tomorrow — ESPN+

• With the 64-team field officially set, the country’s best collegiate volleyball players are ready to serve, headlined by top seeds No. 1 overall Pitt, Penn State, Nebraska, and Louisville.

🏈 NFL: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions — Tomorrow at 8:15 p.m. ET — Amazon Prime

• Primetime football doesn’t get better than this NFC North showdown. These star-studded squads have everything to play for under the bright lights with only one game separating them for the top spot in the division.

🎓🏀 NCAA women’s basketball: No. 8 Duke vs. No. 4 South Carolina — Tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET — ESPN

• With three ranked women’s hoops matchups on the cal, cancel any and all Thursday night plans. The trifecta of games are scheduled to tip off two hours apart and this top-10 Carolinas contest rounds out the perfect evening of buckets.