girlhoop
The W · founded 1996, played 1997

The W.

Thirteen teams today, fifteen in 2026, expansion bids lined up behind them. The 2024 season drew the highest ratings in league history. The 2025 draft was the most-watched ever. This is the boom nobody saw coming until they did.

1997
First season
30
years in 2026
15
teams in 2026
12
champion franchises
Franchises · 2026

The thirteen.

Listed by founding year. Click any franchise to open its official page for live roster, schedule, stats.
East · 1997 charter

New York Liberty

Brooklyn, NY · Barclays Center
Owner: Joe & Clara Tsai · HC: Sandy Brondello
Champions: 2024
Team site →
East · 1997 charter

Washington Mystics

Washington, DC · CareFirst Arena
Owner: Monumental Sports · HC: Sydney Johnson
Champions: 2019
Team site →
West · 1997 charter

Los Angeles Sparks

Los Angeles, CA · Crypto.com Arena
Owner: Magic Johnson Enterprises group · HC: Lynne Roberts
Champions: 2001, 2002, 2016
Team site →
East · 1998

Atlanta Dream

Atlanta, GA · Gateway Center Arena
Owner: Larry Gottesdiener / Renee Montgomery group · HC: Karl Smesko
Team site →
East · 1999

Indiana Fever

Indianapolis, IN · Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Owner: Herb Simon · HC: Stephanie White
Champions: 2012
Team site →
East · 2000

Connecticut Sun

Uncasville, CT · Mohegan Sun Arena
Owner: Mohegan Tribe · HC: Rachid Meziane
Conference champs: 2005, 2019, 2022
Team site →
West · 1997 charter

Phoenix Mercury

Phoenix, AZ · PHX Arena
Owner: Mat Ishbia · HC: Nate Tibbetts
Champions: 2007, 2009, 2014
Team site →
West · 2000

Seattle Storm

Seattle, WA · Climate Pledge Arena
Owner: Force 10 Hoops · HC: Noelle Quinn
Champions: 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020
Team site →
West · 1999

Minnesota Lynx

Minneapolis, MN · Target Center
Owner: Glen Taylor / Wolves group · HC: Cheryl Reeve
Champions: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
Team site →
West · 2006

Chicago Sky

Chicago, IL · Wintrust Arena
Owner: Michael Alter · HC: Tyler Marsh
Champions: 2021
Team site →
West · 2008 (OKC Shock)

Dallas Wings

Arlington, TX · College Park Center (2026 move to Dallas)
Owner: Bill Cameron group · HC: Chris Koclanes
As Detroit Shock: 2003, 2006, 2008
Team site →
West · 2018 (rebrand)

Las Vegas Aces

Las Vegas, NV · Michelob ULTRA Arena
Owner: Mark Davis · HC: Becky Hammon
Champions: 2022, 2023
Team site →
West · 2025 expansion

Golden State Valkyries

San Francisco, CA · Chase Center
Owner: Joe Lacob / Warriors group · HC: Natalie Nakase
Inaugural season 2025
Team site →
Coming 2026

The next two.

Expansion no. 14 and 15 — Toronto and Portland — play their inaugural seasons in 2026. The league is targeting 16 teams by 2028.
2026

Toronto Tempo

Canada's first WNBA team. Owned by Larry Tanenbaum's Kilmer Sports Ventures (Raptors / Maple Leafs group). Plays at Coca-Cola Coliseum. HC hiring in spring 2026.

2026

Portland Fire

Revival of the original 2000–02 Portland franchise. Owned by Lisa Bhathal Merage's Raj Sports. Plays at Moda Center alongside the Blazers. Front office building throughout 2025–26.

The draft

Every first pick since 1997.

The WNBA Draft moved to primetime on ESPN for 2024 — Caitlin Clark's year — and never went back. Below: the No. 1 picks.

Full draft archive, 1997–present →