Brittney Griner’s Return Headlines the Most Sought-After Games of WNBA Opening Weekend

The regular season tips off Friday, with a range of compelling matchups across the league.

The WNBA is officially back in action, with the 2023 regular season tipping off Friday. There is plenty of hype surrounding the weekend’s openers, as players debut with their new teams, rookies introduce themselves and veterans look to send a message.

Here are some of the most sought-after seats of the WNBA’s 2023 premiere, using insights from SI Tickets.

Brittney Griner’s return

Phoenix Mercury at Los Angeles Sparks, May 19 at 11 p.m. ET
Minimum Ticket Price: $17
Maximum Ticket Price: $839
Average Ticket Price: $73.94

Brittney Griner will make her highly anticipated return to WNBA regular-season competition in Friday’s matchup against the Sparks. The Mercury star missed last year’s campaign after being wrongfully detained in Russia on drug charges in February 2022 before being released in December via prisoner exchange.

In Los Angeles and Phoenix’s preseason matchup, Griner notched 10 points and three rebounds in her first competitive basketball game in 572 days, previewing the teams’ regular-season opener. Fans can catch Griner’s return to the W for as little as $17, with the average ticket price posted at $73.94.

The 32-year-old’s homecoming will come Sunday, with the Mercury hosting the Sky at the Footprint Center. Tickets for the monumental home opener are available starting at $36 with the average seat price at $82.48, with fans eager to welcome Griner back to her team of nearly a decade.

Aliyah Boston’s debut

Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever, May 19 at 7 p.m. ET
Minimum Ticket Price: $41
Maximum Ticket Price: $633
Average Ticket Price: $108.98

All eyes will be on Aliyah Boston as she makes her professional debut with the Fever on Friday. The No.1 draft pick enters the WNBA following an illustrious college career at South Carolina, which featured a 2022 national championship. Reunited with her Gamecocks teammate Victaria Saxton, Boston will hope to translate her collegiate success to the W.

Indiana fans can see their future franchise player in action, with the average seat in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse posted at just over $100. The get-in ticket price for the Connecticut matchup stands at $41.

New York’s new era

Indiana Fever at New York Liberty, May 21 at 2 p.m. ET
Minimum Ticket Price: $42
Maximum Ticket Price: $642
Average Ticket Price: $116.98

The Liberty is officially in its superteam era, with superstars Courtney Vandersloot, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones joining New York’s already impressive Sabrina Ionescu–led roster this offseason.

Barclays Center is sure to be bumping for Sunday’s home opener, as the Liberty welcome a group of new players and marks a potential renaissance for the team. The average ticket price for the Fever-Liberty matchup stands at $116.98, while the least expensive seat is available for $42—a deal to see some of the best talent in the league.