The WNBA All-Star Game has always been one of the biggest honors in women’s basketball, but in 2026, it also comes with much bigger financial rewards. The league’s new collective bargaining agreement has significantly increased player bonuses, while the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) and Aflac have added even more incentives. Here’s what players earn for making the All-Star team and winning during All-Star Weekend.
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What is the prize money for the WNBA All-Star Game?
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game introduced a major jump in player compensation under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. Every one of the 24 All-Stars now receives $15,000 simply for participating in the exhibition game. That’s a significant increase from the previous $2,575 appearance payment, reflecting the league’s commitment to rewarding its biggest stars.
The game itself doesn’t award cash directly to the winning team. Instead, the league has launched a new charitable initiative tied to the competition. The winning team’s chosen charity receives a $70,000 donation, while the runner-up team’s selected organization receives $30,000. This approach allows players to compete for causes they support rather than personal prize money.
Beyond participation payments, the All-Star Game MVP earns an additional $20,000, replacing the previous MVP bonus of $5,150. Combined with the appearance payment, the game’s standout performer takes home $35,000 during All-Star weekend.
Do WNBA players receive bonuses for being selected as All-Stars?
Yes. Simply earning a place on the WNBA All-Star roster now comes with a substantial financial reward. Every selected player, whether voted in as a starter or chosen as a reserve, receives the same $15,000 appearance payment under the 2026 CBA.
This bonus doesn’t depend on playing time, team results, or individual performance during the exhibition. Once selected, every All-Star qualifies for the payment. The increase represents one of the most noticeable financial improvements negotiated in the league’s latest labor agreement.
The boost also highlights how much the value of All-Star recognition has changed. In previous seasons, players earned only $2,575 for making the roster. The new agreement increases that amount nearly sixfold, ensuring that recognition among the league’s elite also brings meaningful financial compensation.
How much do WNBA All-Star MVP and Skills Competition winners earn?
The All-Star Weekend extends beyond the game itself, and the financial rewards now stretch across every major competition.
The All-Star Game MVP earns an additional $20,000 from the league. Combined with the $15,000 participation payment, the MVP finishes the weekend with $35,000 in league earnings.
The 3-point contest offers one of the biggest prize pools. Every participant receives $10,000 simply for competing. The winner then earns an additional $20,000 from the WNBA, bringing the league payout to $30,000.
That’s only part of the story. Through a partnership between the WNBPA and Aflac, the contest carries another $85,000 in bonus money. The champion receives an additional $40,000, second place earns $30,000, and third place collects $15,000. Altogether, the winner of the 2026 3-Point Contest takes home $70,000, while second and third place receive $40,000 and $25,000, respectively.
The newly introduced Shooting Stars Challenge also carries league compensation. Current WNBA players receive $7,500 for participating, while winners are expected to earn an additional $15,000 from the league. The WNBPA and Aflac have committed another $85,000 toward the event, although the final distribution among winning teams was still being finalized.
These expanded payouts mark a dramatic shift from previous years, when contest winners earned only $2,575 from the league, and participants received minimal compensation. The combination of league payments and union-backed bonuses has transformed All-Star weekend into one of the WNBA’s most financially rewarding annual events, reflecting the league’s continued growth and the increasing value placed on its players’ achievements.