The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) has announced a raise in prize money for the 2026 All-Star weekend contests, providing a total of $170,000 for winners of the 3-Point Contest and the Shooting Stars Challenge. Sponsored by Aflac, the prize pool increased significantly from $115,000 last year, with $85,000 allocated to each event. This uptick comes despite the league's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which already boosted player wages notably.

For the 3-Point Contest, the WNBPA added more payouts not only for the winner but also for second and third place finishers, marking the first time non-winners are rewarded with additional prize money. The payout structure includes $40,000 for first place, $30,000 for second, and $15,000 for third. When combined with league payouts—$10,000 just for participating and up to $30,000 including the winner's bonus—the top finisher can earn a total of $70,000.

This year’s 3-Point Contest features 2026's No. 1 draft pick Azzi Fudd, along with All-Stars Marina Mabrey and Rhyne Howard, among others. Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars Challenge, which evolved from the Skills Challenge, is a team event mixing current players, WNBA legends, and youth Nike EYBL players. While the prize money split for this event remains undecided, expectations are for current players to receive $7,500 for participation and an additional $15,000 for the winning team.

The WNBPA has been increasing All-Star event prize money since 2024 to narrow the gap with NBA contest winnings. Previously, winners received minimal payouts from the league, but the new CBA raised salaries, with minimum annual wages now starting at $270,000 and maximum reaching $1.4 million. These changes, along with union-sponsored incentives like the All-Star bonuses, highlight the growing financial progress and support for WNBA players.