The WNBA is getting bigger.
The 12-team league is gaining fans in droves — and it’s also adding new teams to the mix. Two franchises will be added in upcoming seasons to bring the total to 14, with the potential for more on the horizon.
“Our plan is to get to 16 teams in the next few years,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said ahead of the 2024 season.
When will the two newest franchises take the court? And where will they be located? Here’s everything you need to know about the WNBA’s expansion plans.
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WNBA expansion history
The WNBA started with eight teams in its inaugural 1997 season.
The league reached as many as 16 teams in 2000, but the Miami Sol and Portland Fire folded after the 2002 season, bringing the total down to 14. The number of teams hovered at 13 or 14 through 2009, as several franchises folded (Charlotte Sting, Houston Comets) but others joined (Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream.)
The Sacramento Monarchs folded after the 2009 season, leaving the league with its current 12-team structure.
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When will WNBA expand to 14 teams?
The WNBA has officially announced one expansion team: Golden State, which is set to start…
