Women’s basketball is having its biggest growth spurt in league history, and 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year. Two brand-new franchises are officially taking the court, the league is pushing into international territory for the first time, and there’s already a roadmap for even more expansion through the end of the decade. If you’ve been hearing chatter about new WNBA teams and wondering who’s playing where, this is your complete guide to what’s actually happening.
The WNBA’s Growth Timeline: From 12 Teams to 18
To understand this year’s expansion, it helps to zoom out. Just a few seasons ago, the WNBA was sitting at 12 teams. That changed in 2025 when the Golden State Valkyries tipped off as the league’s 13th franchise, instantly proving that new markets could compete right away by finishing fourth in the Western Conference and making the playoffs in their debut season. That success gave the league the confidence to keep pushing forward, and now 2026 marks the next major step in that growth.
Meet the 2026 WNBA Expansion Teams
Two new franchises are joining the league this season, bringing the total to 15 teams. Both are entering with experienced front-office leadership and the kind of built-in market support that made Golden State’s launch so successful.
Toronto Tempo
The Toronto Tempo make history as the WNBA’s first team based outside the United States. Owned by Kilmer Sports Inc. and led by Toronto businessman Larry Tanenbaum, who also holds ties to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the Tempo bring professional women’s basketball to Canada for the first time. Pairing the new franchise with an already-established sports market was part of the same formula that helped Golden State hit the ground running, and the league is clearly betting the same approach works north of the border.
Portland Fire
Portland returns to the WNBA map with the Fire, reviving a basketball market with a genuine history of supporting the sport. Like Toronto, Portland’s expansion bid leaned on strong local demand and a fanbase that’s been vocal about wanting a franchise back in the city for years.
Why This Expansion Wave Matters
This isn’t just about adding jerseys to the league. Expansion at this scale reshapes rosters, opportunities, and competitive balance across the entire WNBA. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been vocal about the ripple effects, pointing out that the league’s growth combined with a new collective bargaining agreement has opened up dozens of new roster spots, factoring in both the added teams and additional developmental slots per team. For players, that means more jobs. For fans, it means more games, more storylines, and more markets invested in the league’s success.
Expansion Draft Rules
New franchises don’t build their rosters from scratch through the draft alone. Both Toronto and Portland went through an expansion draft process, selecting available players from existing teams to form a competitive foundation before the regular draft and free agency filled out the rest of the roster. It’s a similar model to what Golden State used in 2025, and the early returns suggest it’s an effective way to get a new team competitive fast.
What’s Coming After 2026
The league isn’t stopping at 15 teams. The WNBA and NBA Boards of Governors have formally approved three more expansion franchises, with a phased rollout that will bring the league to a historic 18 teams by the end of the decade.
Cleveland (2028)
Cleveland will be the next city to join, with its franchise set to begin play in 2028. The team will be owned by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and will share Rocket Arena with the Cavaliers, bringing professional women’s basketball back to a city that previously hosted the Cleveland Rockers in the league’s early years.
Detroit (2029)
Detroit follows a year later in 2029. As with the other new markets, pairing the WNBA franchise with an existing NBA fanbase and arena infrastructure is part of the broader expansion strategy.
Philadelphia (2030)
Philadelphia rounds out the trio, with a franchise owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the same group behind the 76ers, expected to debut in 2030. All three of these future franchises are still awaiting official team names.
A Notable Relocation: Connecticut to Houston
Not every piece of league news involves a brand-new franchise. The Connecticut Sun, one of the WNBA’s original teams and its first-ever champion, has changed ownership and is relocating. Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta purchased the franchise, and the team will play one final season in Connecticut in 2026 before relaunching as the Houston Comets in time for the 2027 season, reviving a name with deep roots in league history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams will be in the WNBA by 2026?
The WNBA will have 15 teams for the 2026 season following the addition of the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, which join the Golden State Valkyries and the league’s previously established franchises.
What are the new WNBA expansion teams for 2026?
The two new franchises debuting in 2026 are the Toronto Tempo, the league’s first team outside the United States, and the Portland Fire, marking the WNBA’s return to the Portland market.
Which cities are getting WNBA teams after 2026?
Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia have all been formally approved as future expansion markets, with Cleveland launching in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030, bringing the league to 18 total teams.
Is the Connecticut Sun becoming a new team?
Not exactly. The Connecticut Sun franchise has been sold and will relocate rather than expand, playing a final season in Connecticut in 2026 before becoming the Houston Comets starting in the 2027 season.
Looking Ahead
The WNBA’s expansion story is far from finished. What started with a single new team in Golden State has snowballed into one of the most aggressive growth periods in the league’s history, and 2026 is really just the midpoint of that journey. Between the Tempo and Fire taking the court this year, three more cities locked in through 2030, and a historic franchise relocating to Houston, women’s basketball is expanding faster than at any point in its history. For fans, that means more teams to root for and more talent spread across the league. For the sport itself, it’s proof that the demand is real and still growing.
