LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Las Vegas Aces are adding an international matchup to their preseason schedule.
The team announced it will host the Japan Women’s National Team in a preseason exhibition game Saturday, April 26 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m., and the game is presented by Las Vegas.
Tickets for the Japan exhibition and all 22 regular-season home games are on sale now.
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Aces gearing up for historic 30th season
One of four original WNBA franchises still in existence, the Aces will use the exhibition as part of preparations for the franchise’s 30th season.
The Aces’ 2026 season officially tips off with their 2025 championship ring ceremony at T-Mobile Arena on May 9. The team said the first 7,500 fans at that opener will receive a “Three of a Kind” flag, replicating items seen at the team’s third championship celebration.
Third international opponent for the Aces
The Aces said this will be the third time the franchise has faced an international national team.
- May 11, 2024: Hosted the Puerto Rico National Team at the University of South Carolina, winning 102-50 in A’ja Wilson’s homecoming.
- May 6, 2018: Hosted the China National Team in Las Vegas, winning 98-63.
Before relocating to Las Vegas (via San Antonio), the franchise — then known as the Utah Starzz — also hosted China on May 11, 2002 in West Valley City, Utah.
About Japan
Japan enters the matchup ranked No. 10 in the world and No. 3 in Asia, and recently secured a berth in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup during a qualifying tournament held March 11–17 in Türkiye, the team said.
Japan is coached by Corey Gaines, who led Phoenix to the 2009 WNBA championship. At the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament, Mai Yamamoto earned an All-Star Five selection after leading Japan with 15.0 points per game, 1.2 steals per game, and the team’s top efficiency rating (13.8), while also averaging 3.6 assists per game.
The Aces noted two players with WNBA experience — Rui Machida (Washington, 2022) and Ramu Tokashiki (Seattle, 2015–2017) — were also part of Japan’s World Cup qualifying roster.
Japan’s roster for the April 26 exhibition will be announced at a later date.
Over the last five years, Japan has won Olympic silver (2020 Games played in 2021), gold at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup, silver at the 2023 and 2025 Asia Cups, and finished 9th at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and 12th at the 2024 Olympics.
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