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WNBA Playoffs: How the New Format Impacts the Indiana Fever This Year

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 7:57 PM ET

In 2024, the Indiana Fever made the playoffs but didn't get to play at home due to the WNBA's 2-1 playoff format in the first round — meaning the higher-seeded team plays Games 1 and 2 in the best-of-three series, while the lower seed only hosts Game 3 if the squad is able to force it.

Indiana, who finished with the sixth seed last season, got swept by the third-seeded Connecticut Sun in the first two games on the road and was eliminated before it could bring home the postseason to the city.

This 2025, however, things will be different. The Caitlin Clark-less Fever will get at least one game at home due to the new 1-1-1 WNBA playoff format. In this format, the higher-seeded team hosts Games 1 and 3, while the lower seed hosts Game 2.

The Fever, who finished with the sixth seed once again, will face the No. 3 seed Atlanta Dream in the first round. They open the playoffs at the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park on Sunday before the series shifts to Indiana.

Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse . It will be the Fever's first playoff game at home since their first-round loss to Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury in 2016.

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Amusingly enough, Griner is now part of the Dream, who tallied a 30-14 record this campaign. That being said, it will definitely be interesting to see if the Fever can overcome Griner and her new team this time around.

For what it's worth, tickets for the Fever's home game against the Dream are now on sale through the team's website.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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