WNBA expanding, bringing team to Pennsylvania

Published On: July 1, 2025

Over the next five years, the WNBA plans to add three more expansion clubs, one of which will be located in Pennsylvania, the league revealed.

Starting in 2028, new teams will be added to Philadelphia, Detroit, and Cleveland. Cleveland’s season will begin in 2028, followed by Detroit’s in 2029 and Philadelphia’s in 2030.

According to the WNBA’s Twitter post, “The W is leveling UP — three new teams, three new cities, one unstoppable future.”

The acquisitions carry on the WNBA’s expansion trend. There are now 13 teams in the league, including the Golden State Valkyries, who are in their maiden season.

In 2026, clubs will also be added in Toronto and Portland.

The league will include eighteen clubs after the three new arrivals in 2028, 2029, and 2030.

To discuss the acquisitions, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert hosted a press conference in New York on Monday morning.

She referred to the announcement of the expansion on Monday as a “truly monumental day.”

“It gives me great pleasure to formally announce that the WNBA will be growing from the 15 teams that are currently announced to 18 teams over the next few years,” she stated. Therefore, I’m excited to officially welcome Philadelphia to the WNBA and to welcome Cleveland and Detroit back on behalf of the entire WNBA.”

A number of women’s collegiate basketball players, most notably Caitlin Clark, have contributed to the WNBA’s recent rise in popularity by drawing in fans.

With an average of 1.7 million viewers, last weekend’s Las Vegas Aces vs. Clark & Indiana Fever game was the third-most watched WNBA game on ESPN’s history.