Hey, so — like, the WNBA is about to kick off its 2025 season. And Meta’s all in on streaming a bunch of these games on Quest. They’re using this Xtadium app thing, and also some place called the Horizon Worlds NBA Arena. Pretty high-tech, huh?
Anyway, Quest folks get to catch 20 games live this season. And five of those are in this wild 180-degree video. Meta dropped this info the other day, and I had to double-check. I mean, 180 degrees? Feels like standing in the middle of the court, no?
To break it down — Xtadium’s this US-only app. You get live stuff, and on-demand matches. Oh, and there are these private virtual watch parties. Invite your cousin Greg (or don’t), but also, public watch shindigs in NBA Arena are on the menu if you feel like mixing it up.
Mark your calendar for May 27th. Not sure why, but that’s the day NBA Arena rolls out these WNBA-themed avatar outfits. And you can snag them right inside the Horizon Worlds app. Avatar swag — who even thought of that?
Of course, there’s always a catch with these streaming deals — geo-restrictions popping up everywhere. If you’re too close to where the game’s happening, forget it. Blackouts are still a thing, unfortunately.
Here’s your rundown of when to tune in, though — jot it down on a napkin if you lose track like I always do:
– May 18: Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks // 3:00 pm PT
– May 22: New York Liberty at Chicago Sky // 5:00 pm PT
– May 27: Immersive Game: Chicago Sky at Phoenix Mercury // 7:00 pm PT
– June 9: Golden State Valkyries at Los Angeles Sparks // 7:00 pm PT
– June 17: Immersive Game: Las Vegas Aces at Minnesota Lynx // 5:00 pm PT
– June 18: Phoenix Mercury at Connecticut Sun // 4:00 pm PT
– June 24: Atlanta Dream at Dallas Wings // 5:00 pm PT
– July 3: Immersive Game: Los Angeles Sparks at New York Liberty // 4:00 pm PT
– July 9: Dallas Wings at Chicago Sky // 5:00 pm PT
– July 14: Minnesota Lynx at Chicago Sky // 5:00 pm PT
– July 16: Las Vegas Aces at Dallas Wings // 5:00 pm PT
– July 24: Seattle Storm at Chicago Sky // 5:30 pm PT
– August 11: Connecticut Sun at Golden State Valkyries // 7:00 pm PT
– August 13: Chicago Sky at Connecticut Sun // 4:00 pm PT
– August 20: Immersive Game: Dallas Wings at Los Angeles Sparks // 7:00 pm PT
– August 21: Minnesota Lynx at Atlanta Dream // 4:30 pm PT
– August 31: Washington Mystics at Los Angeles Sparks // 5:00 pm PT
– September 3: Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky // 5:00 pm PT
– September 4: Immersive Game: Dallas Wings at Golden State Valkyries // 7:00 pm PT
– September 10: Atlanta Dream at Connecticut Sun // 4:00 pm PT
There you go. Dive into the games, ignore the blackouts, and maybe snag some avatar merch if you’re into that. Anyway, go enjoy some basketball!
