It's official. The WNBA is leveling up in more than just one way. First, a historic collective bargaining agreement was reached before the 2026 season. Starting in 2027, the league will expand to a 50-game regular season, the first in its history.
A source with knowledge of the situation told Ballislife that the WNBA will broaden its schedule from 44 regular-season games, a format that was adopted through the league's 30th season. This marks a significant milestone as the WNBA enters not only a new era but also one in which players are reaching seven-figure salaries, a fair revenue system is in place, and games are broadcast on multiple national television networks. Attendance is booming, and the WNBA is growing its international presence. The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire are newly minted expansion teams, and the league will expand to 18 teams by 2030.
The Golden State Valkyries debuted in 2025 and emerged as a blueprint for expansion, reaching a $1 billion valuation by 2026. Sandy Brondello's Tempo were introduced as the first international team in 2026, followed by the Fire's return to Rose City in 2026. Furthermore, Cleveland will return in 2028, along with Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030.
"Demand for the WNBA has never been greater, and expanding to a 50-game regular season reflects the extraordinary momentum we are seeing across the league," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a press release. "This move reflects our commitment to growing the game and creating more opportunities for fans to watch the best players in the world and experience the extraordinary talent and competition that define the WNBA.”
50 games isn't quite the NBA's 82-game standard, but it signals the WNBA's evolution and continued momentum. Not only are arenas filling up, but fans are eager to watch, and there is also demand for increased visibility and opportunity. Players and teams will gain more exposure, which will only increase revenue. With more games come opportunities to shatter new records and further cement the WNBA's reputation as one of the fastest-growing professional sports leagues.
The 2026 season has just passed the one-quarter mark, and 2027 season ticket holders will be lining up soon. This news reflects not only the WNBA's future across North America but also the rich history and trailblazers who helped shape the league.
Relocation and Expansion
Let's talk relocation and expansion.
30 years ago, the inaugural WNBA season took place in 1997, where Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson led the Houston Comets to the first-ever WNBA Championship against the New York Liberty. Talk about a full-circle moment: the Comets are considered the most decorated franchise in league history, having won four straight titles from 1997-00. They were one of six defunct franchises that folded in 2008.
Not only will the Connecticut Sun relocate to Houston to resurrect the Comets, but the move will coincide with the first-ever 50-game regular season. This truly is a testament to the growth, as there's a growing appetite for women's basketball and for fans to meet new markets.
(1997-00) Houston Comets won the first 4 WNBA Championships
(07) Comets sold for $10M
(08) The WNBA took control and disbanded it when new owners couldn't be found
(26) The Fertitta family paid a WNBA-record $300M for the Connecticut Sun and will relocate them to Houston pic.twitter.com/lHTlAFjQq2
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 27, 2026
History of Growth
Let's talk about the history of the WNBA.
The 2027 campaign will feature the most regular-season games ever. Compare that to 1997, when the league capped out at 28 games. Over 30 years, there has been a consistent rise in the number of games played. The league immediately increased its schedule from 28 to 30 games following its inaugural season in 1998. In 1999, the WNBA further expanded to 32 games—and after a three-year drought—there were 34 games played in 2003.
Even during unprecedented circumstances following the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was impacted but managed to reach 22 games and crown Sue Bird and the Seattle Storm champions. 2021 fell under the pandemic umbrella, but 32 games were played, and the Chicago Sky lifted the trophy.
To showcase the growth, the WNBA didn't exceed 34 games for 19 seasons (2003-22). In 2022, the league introduced 36 games, during which the WNBA welcomed Kentucky's Rhyne Howard as the No. 1 overall pick (Dream) in the draft. It was a draft class that featured NaLyssa Smith, Shakira Austin, Lexie Hull, Nyara Sabally, Veronica Burton, Rae Burrell, Naz Hillmon, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and Jade Melbourne—some of the most prominent names in the WNBA today.
Building on its momentum, the WNBA expanded to a 40-game schedule in 2023, introduced a draft class that was headlined by Aliyah Boston, and marked the start of the Indiana Fever's rebuild. It was a special year, one that highlighted a star-studded Finals matchup between the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces (3-1). Not only did 2023 deliver record-breaking numbers in attendance, but it was the most-watched regular season in 21 years.
2024: A Turning Point
2024 was a turning point for the WNBA. The WNBA's draft class was one of the most exciting in years as Caitlin Clark was selected No. 1 overall by the Fever. Held at Brooklyn's own Academy of Music (BAM), the league featured popular NCAA stars such as Cameron Brink, Angel Reese, Rickea Jackson, Kamilla Cardoso, and others. Charter flights were introduced, and the league experienced historic growth.
The continued success and momentum from 2024 led to an upswing in games (44) in 2025. It was a year defined by the Minnesota Lynx, who posted the most regular-season wins (34) in franchise history. The historic season was capped off with an Aces' Finals victory over the Mercury and A'ja Wilson's fourth MVP award.
The 2024 WNBA Draft generated these historic numbers. WOW#WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/grnaf1b3d7
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) April 17, 2024
With the news, the WNBA announced additional changes set to take place in the 2026 postseason. The top eight teams will advance to the playoffs, and the first round will adopt a 1-1-1 best-of-three series. The higher-seeded team will host Game 1, and the lower-seeded team will host Game 2. If there's a Game 3, the top seed will get home-court advantage.
In addition, the Semifinals will include a best-of-five series, and the WNBA Finals will move to a best-of-seven, 2-1-1-1 series.
Additional details regarding the 2027 WNBA regular season will be announced at a later date.
Sara Jane Gamelli is the Managing Editor and Senior Staff Writer at Ballislife.com, as well as Director of Ballislife Bets. Follow her on X at @SaraJGamelli.