CHICAGO (April 13, 2021) – In conjunction with the Women’s National Basketball Association, the Chicago Sky today unveiled its 32-game schedule today for the upcoming 2021 regular season.
Following an unprecedented off-season of player movement, some of the most anticipated league action kicks off opening weekend. Chicago Sky’s 16th season begins on Saturday, May 15 vs. the Washington Mystics (12p CT) from the nation’s capital. The first matchup will see two-time league MVP Candace Parker make her debut with her hometown team of the Chicago Sky against former MVP Elena Delle Donne.
The Sky will host a home opener at Wintrust Arena on Sunday, May 23 vs. the New York Liberty, marking the first time in what will be 620 days since their last contest on home court during the team’s 2019 playoff run.
“The season is around the corner,” said Sky General Manager and Head Coach James Wade. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that we will be playing at our home, in our market, so I’m super excited about this upcoming season, and we all just want to make Chicago fans proud. We’re ready to compete.”
2021 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
- Due to the ongoing pandemic and the Olympic break, instead of the originally planned 36 games, the 2021 regular season will see each team play 32 games. It is only the fifth time in history the league has held a 32-game season (1999-2002, 2021).
- The Sky will play the same opponent on consecutive occasions eight different times throughout the 32-game season. Using a “series” model, the WNBA has alleviated various steps in traveling across the league due to the ongoing pandemic and the Olympic break.
- Chicago will compete against every opponent 3x, with the exception of the Minnesota Lynx, who they will see twice.
- Sky forward Candace Parker faces her former team, the Los Angeles Sparks, for the first time since returning to play for her hometown of Chicago on Friday, May 28 and Sunday, May 30 as part of what will be a five-game homestand for Chicago from May 23 – June 1.
- Chicago’s season will pause for the Olympic Games in Tokyo after its tilt against Washington on Saturday, July 10 at Wintrust Arena and return to play on Sunday, August 15 against the reigning WNBA champion Seattle Storm back in Chicago.
- In addition to the 32-game schedule, the WNBA will be spotlighting various events throughout the season in celebration of the league’s 25th anniversary Count It campaign including the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup and WNBA All-Star Game.
- It is the fifth time in league history that the season will feature 32 games, with the first coming in 1999 and the most recent being in 2002. Due to the ongoing pandemic and the Olympic break, instead of the originally planned 36 games, the 2021 regular season will see each team play 32 games.
WNBA’s landmark 25th season begins with the 2021 WNBA Draft Presented by State Farm® on Thursday, April 15 on ESPN, with the Sky slated to pick eighth overall.
The Chicago Sky continues to work with league, city, and state officials on evaluating conditions to determine if there is a timeline that would allow for fans this season, and look forward to providing further information as soon as it becomes available.
View full schedule here.