Image Credit - Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

WNBA Expansion Official As Three New Franchises to Debut, League to Grow to 18 Teams by 2030

WNBA Expansion Plans Accelerate With New Teams Slated to Join Soon

Image Credit - Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The WNBA is among the most-watched women’s sports leagues globally. Founded in 1997, the WNBA has steadily grown but is only now experiencing record-breaking viewership numbers.

As part of its latest expansion, the WNBA announced the addition of three new teams. Teams from Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia are set to join the league which will take the number of sides to 18 by the year 2030.

The Golden State Valkyries, who joined the WNBA earlier this year, are the league’s most recent expansion franchise. Under the latest WNBA expansion, the Cleveland based side will begin playing in 2028. They will be owned by the Rock Entertainment Group (REG) who also own the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA.

Cleveland is making history.

We’re proud to welcome @clevelandwnba back to The Land—tipping off at @RocketArena in 2028.

This is more than basketball. It’s an exciting new chapter in women's sports and a win for our city, for fans, and for the next generation of athletes and… pic.twitter.com/whUjFPgh7E
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) June 30, 2025

Detroit will next join and start playing from 2029. The ownership group also involves the same from the NBA of the Detroit Pistons side which is Platinum Equity. A Philadelphia based team will begin playing in 2030.

New Teams Signal WNBA Growth Wave

The above three teams will officially enter the league in the next couple of years. But the WNBA’s expansion doesn’t stop there as more cities are set to join the league in the coming seasons. A Toronto based side is set to join the league from the next season in 2026.

A team from Portland, Oregon is also set to join the women’s pro basketball tournament. Next season will witness 15 teams in the WNBA. WNBA leadership stated these new teams were chosen after careful evaluation of market size, corporate backing, fan engagement, and long-term ownership commitment.

The Golden State Valkyries, which were the latest side to start their WNBA journey, have consistently seen sold out matches. Despite being a new franchise, the Valkyries have already achieved sold-out games and massive fan engagement, proof that the WNBA’s growth plan is working.