WNBA Expansion 2025: How Many New Teams Are Joining the League?

The WNBA expansion has officially begun — and it’s only the start. The 2025 season welcomes the Golden State Valkyries, while future franchises in cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia promise even more growth. Backed by record investment and surging popularity, the league is on its way to becoming a true national sports powerhouse.

Each new city adds fresh energy and stories to the game, giving fans more teams to cheer for. Attendance in 2024 topped 2 million, setting a record and proving that demand for women’s basketball has never been stronger. It’s a thrilling moment not just for the league, but for the future of women’s sports.

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How many teams are in the 2025 WNBA expansion?

The 2025 WNBA Expansion officially includes one new team, the Golden State Valkyries, which began play during the 2025 season. This addition brings the total number of teams in the league to 15. The WNBA has since announced plans to expand further, with three more franchises set to join the league in the near future. This will increase the total number of teams to 16 by 2028, and eventually to 18 by 2030.

What are the Benefits of the WNBA’s Expansion to New Cities?

The WNBA expansion to new cities offers numerous benefits that fuel the growth of the league. Firstly, it provides new opportunities for talented players to enter the league and extends the reach of professional women’s basketball to new fan bases. This, in turn, boosts viewership and ticket sales. For cities, gaining a WNBA team can stimulate economic growth, enhance local pride, and provide a new platform for community engagement. The expansion also helps to strengthen the league's media and sponsorship deals, which further contributes to its financial stability and overall growth.

When will the new WNBA Teams begin playing in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia?

While Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia have been officially awarded WNBA expansion franchises, they will not begin playing until later years.

This staggered entry allows each new franchise and its ownership group sufficient time to build their organization, from hiring staff to preparing facilities, ensuring a strong and successful launch.

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Conclusion

The 2025 WNBA Expansion and the subsequent plans to add teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia represent a pivotal moment for professional women’s basketball. The league’s strategic approach to expansion, while gradual, is designed to ensure long-term success by building strong foundations in each new market. This growth is a clear indicator of the league's rising popularity and its potential to become a dominant force in the sports world, bringing the excitement of the WNBA to more fans than ever before.

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