WNBA expanding to 50-game regular season in 2027

Field Level Media|published: Wed 17th June, 11:42 2026

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) stands up Tuesday, June 16, 2026, during the second half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Toronto Tempo, 113-91.

The WNBA is expanding the regular season from 44 games to 50 games starting with the 2027 campaign, the league announced Wednesday.

During its inaugural season in 1997, each of the league's eight members played only 28 regular season games.

The WNBA currently includes 15 teams, including two 2026 expansion clubs: Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire.

Three more franchises in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will become part of an 18-team league by 2030.

"Demand for the WNBA has never been greater, and expanding to a 50-game regular season reflects the extraordinary momentum we are seeing across the league," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. "This move reflects our commitment to growing the game and creating more opportunities for fans to watch the best players in the world and experience the extraordinary talent and competition that define the WNBA."

Additional details regarding the 2027 WNBA regular season schedule, including key dates, will be announced at a later time.

--Field Level Media

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