New WNBA Teams Joining the League
Upcoming New WNBA Teams: A Guide to the League's Growth to 18 Teams
The WNBA is in a period of historic growth. With the league’s popularity surging, the WNBA has a confirmed multi-year plan to add five new franchises. This expansion will take the league from 13 teams in 2025 to a record 18 teams by the 2030 season.
The WNBA’s Five Confirmed Expansion Teams
The league’s expansion plan will unfold in three stages, adding five new teams over the next six seasons:
🔵 Golden State Valkyries (2025) – Announced in 2023, Golden State, based in the San Francisco Bay Area began play in 2025, becoming the WNBA’s 13th team.
🔵 Toronto Tempo (2026) – The WNBA’s first international team, Toronto will debut in 2026, expanding the league into Canada.
🔵 Portland Fire (2026) – Joining alongside Toronto, the Portland Fire will return to the WNBA in 2026, bringing the league to 15 teams.
🔵 Cleveland (2028) – Announced in June 2025, Cleveland marks the WNBA’s return to a city that hosted one of the league’s original eight teams, the Cleveland Rockers (1997-2003).
🔵 Detroit (2029) – The WNBA will return to Detroit, former home of the three-time champion Detroit Shock (1998-2009), which relocated and eventually became the Dallas Wings.
🔵 Philadelphia (2030) – The final piece of the current expansion plan, Philadelphia will become the 18th team in the WNBA, backed by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
⭐ WNBA Expansion: Essential Fan Resources
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How Expansion Impacts the League
Adding new teams affects the WNBA in several ways:
🔹 More Roster Spots – Expansion creates more opportunities for players to join the league.
🔹 Increased Competition – More teams mean a deeper talent pool and more exciting matchups.
🔹 New Fan Bases – Expansion teams bring new markets into the WNBA, growing the sport globally.
🔹 Draft Strategy Changes – Expansion teams receive extra draft picks, influencing how existing teams build their rosters.
⚬ Toronto and Portland will receive priority draft picks, ensuring they get top-tier talent.
⚬ Existing teams may adjust their roster strategies, knowing expansion teams will target young players.
Who Could Be Next After 18?
While the WNBA’s pathway to 18 teams is now set, the league’s growth may not stop there. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has noted the high demand from other cities. Several markets that made strong cases for a team in this round remain top contenders for any future expansion:
🟠 Nashville – A Nashville-based ownership group, backed by Candace Parker and Peyton Manning, has applied for an expansion team. The proposed team name is Nashville Summitt, honoring legendary coach Pat Summitt.
🟠 Kansas City, MO – Kansas City’s bid is backed by Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ star quarterback, along with other investors. The proposed team would likely play at T-Mobile Center, which hosts major sporting events.
🟠 Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee’s bid is supported by local business leaders and investors with ties to the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
🟠 Boston (Exploring Expansion) – While Boston has not officially submitted a bid, reports indicate that local investors are considering bringing a WNBA team to the city.
🟠 Austin, TX – A group led by Marc Lasry and Kevin Durant has submitted a bid to bring a WNBA team to Austin.
🟠 Charlotte, NC – The Charlotte Hornets ownership group is backing an effort to bring a WNBA team back to Charlotte, which was previously home to the Charlotte Sting.
🟠 Denver, CO – Denver has been ranked as a top market for WNBA expansion, with strong fan support and a growing basketball culture.
🟠 St. Louis, MO – The ownership group aiming to bring a WNBA team to St. Louis is co-led by billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman. NBA superstar Jayson Tatum has also informally agreed to invest and support the bid.
How do you feel about the league reaching 18 teams by 2030?
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