The Las Vegas Aces are gearing up for the 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase, and this year, they’re playing for something much bigger than a trophy. To celebrate the WNBA’s landmark 30th season, the league’s theme is “Our Game, Our Legacy” and our Aces are honoring that legacy by investing heavily in the future of Clark County students.
The Aces announced that they are partnering with the Public Education Foundation (PEF) for this year’s tournament. That means every single basket, defensive stop, and win over the next two weeks will directly translate into cash for local schools, teachers, and kids.
What is PEF? (Spoiler: They Do Amazing Work)
If you live in Southern Nevada, chances are PEF has touched your community in some way. They work hand-in-hand with the Clark County School District to make sure every student has a fair shot at success and give teachers the resources needed to help them. Here is a quick look at some of the awesome programs they run:
- Scholarships Plus — Awards nearly $6.9 million annually in college and vocational scholarships to more than 750 students, 52% of whom are first-generation college students.
- Teacher FastTrack — Helps paraprofessionals earn their teaching credentials, strengthening Nevada’s educator pipeline.
- PEF Teacher Superstore: Classroom in a Box — Equips teachers with free and low-cost supplies so every student can fully participate in the classroom.
- CCSD Book Bus — Brings books directly into neighborhoods across the Valley.
- Black Girl Magic: Juneteenth Jubilee Luncheon — Celebrates Black women leaders in the community and supports the pursuit of higher education.
“The Public Education Foundation represents exactly the kind of community-rooted work the Commissioner’s Cup is designed to elevate,” said Nikki Fargas, president and GM of the Las Vegas Aces. “PEF touches every corner of Clark County — from scholarships and teacher development to school supplies and books on wheels. We’re proud to shine a light on the incredible impact they make every day.”
How the Tournament Works (And How PEF Wins)
The Commissioner’s Cup is a fast-paced, two-week sprint running from June 2 through June 17. The Aces will play each of their conference rivals exactly once, and these games pull double-duty, counting toward the regular season and the Cup standings.
Here’s the actual amazing part: PEF wins no matter what.
- Every time the Aces win a Cup game, PEF gets $3,000.
- Even if the Aces lose, PEF still gets $1,000.
- If the Aces make it to the Championship, PEF could secure an extra $5,000 to $10,000 bonus.
(Oh, and the players have plenty of motivation, too. The winning team gets to split an incredible $500,000 prize pool!)
Mark Your Calendars for the Aces’ Cup Schedule
- Tuesday, June 2 — Las Vegas @ Los Angeles, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 6 — Las Vegas vs. Golden State, 12 p.m.
- Monday, June 8 — Las Vegas vs. Seattle, 7 p.m.
- Thursday, June 11 — Las Vegas @ Portland Fire7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 13 — Las Vegas vs. Minnesota, 5 p.m.
- Monday, June 15 — Las Vegas @ Dallas, 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 17 — Las Vegas @ Phoenix, 7 p.m.
Get your foam fingers, Aces jerseys, and A’Twos ready because the Cup is almost upon us.
I am a published writer, full-time editor, an events and entertainment reporter and mother of one. Comic books, drag queens, women’s basketball, queer films and TV shows are my bread and butter.
