The WNBA has been on a roll since the last boom that came along with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s debut. The league has expanded to a 13-team roster after finally getting the Golden State Valkyries as the latest addition this year.
And as per what we are hearing lately, the league would go on to expand to an 18-team roster in the next five years. Yes, after announcing a two-team addition, the league has announced three more franchises joining by 2030. The surge in TV ratings, sold-out arenas, and record jersey sales all look like a promising future for the WNBA.
Cleveland, Detroit, And Philadelphia Joining WNBA By 2030
According to a report from Front Office Sports, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia would he the next three franchises to join the league. Cleveland will debut in the league in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030.
Though approval from the NBA and WNBA Board of Governors is still pending. However, Toronto and Portland are also joining the league next year. This aggressive step comes amid a crazy growth in women’s basketball demand. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has also expressed excitement about welcoming the new teams.
🚨HISTORIC MOMENT ALERT🚨
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 30, 2025
The W is leveling UP — three new teams, three new cities, one unstoppable future. ⭐
Say hello to our newest expansion teams:
🟣 @clevelandwnba – coming 2028
🔵 @DetroitWNBA – coming 2029
🔴 @philawnba – coming 2030
New energy. New legacies. New era.… pic.twitter.com/6ZXaHPxkEw
While the league is growing at a phenomenal rate, the expansion fees are skyrocketing as well. Each of the three new franchises has NBA ownership and paid a $250 million expansion fee, which is five times what Golden State previously paid for a team. In addition to the expansion fees, these teams will invest in practice facilities and amenities as well.
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WNBA Commissioner Taking Careful Approach As Teams Make Aggressive Push
While the next lot of franchises have made it to the news, more and more teams are making an aggressive push. Several other cities expressed interest in adding WNBA teams but ultimately did not secure franchises in this latest expansion effort.
The notable locations that submitted bids include St. Louis, Kansas City, Austin, Nashville, Houston, Miami, Denver, and Charlotte. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert acknowledged the unexpected high demand during the selection process. She is taking great care in balancing the number of teams with available roster spots.
“We didn’t know the demand would be where the demand ended up when we ran the process last fall into the winter. Given the very high demand and supply, we wanted to evaluate, too, because we’re very careful about, you know, making sure we’re balancing the number of roster spots, the number of teams,” Engelbert said.
As the league prepares to enter a new media deal, fans could expect to see a couple of more exciting news coming their way. According to Engelbert, aligning with these vibrant markets could enhance the league’s visibility and financial support.
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