What is the WNBA?
The Women's National Basketball Association is the premier women's basketball league in the world — founded in 1996, playing since 1997, and in the middle of its greatest boom: record audiences, a new generation of stars, and expansion from 15 teams in 2026 (Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire the newcomers) to 18 by 2030 with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia. The Las Vegas Aces are the champions, sweeping Phoenix in the first best-of-seven Finals in 2025 behind A'ja Wilson.[1] [2]
How does it work?
A summer-anchored season with a salary cap, college draft and international roster spots leads to playoffs and the Finals; the Commissioner's Cup adds an in-season prize. Most of the world's best players — American and international — spend their primes in the league, many pairing it with EuroLeague Women or Unrivaled in the offseason.[1] [3]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Las Vegas Aces | Finals: 4–0 vs Phoenix Mercury — first best-of-seven Finals |
| 2024 | New York Liberty | Finals: 3–2 vs Minnesota Lynx — first Liberty title |
| 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | Finals: 3–1 vs New York Liberty — back-to-back |
| 2022 | Las Vegas Aces | Finals: 3–1 vs Connecticut Sun |
| 2021 | Chicago Sky | Finals: 3–1 vs Phoenix Mercury |
| 2020 | Seattle Storm | Finals: 3–0 vs Las Vegas Aces (Bradenton bubble) |
| 2019 | Washington Mystics | Finals: 3–2 vs Connecticut Sun |
| 2018 | Seattle Storm | Finals: 3–0 vs Washington Mystics |
| 2017 | Minnesota Lynx | Finals: 3–2 vs Los Angeles Sparks |
| 2016 | Los Angeles Sparks | Finals: 3–2 vs Minnesota Lynx |
WNBA champions of the last ten seasons.
Why does it matter?
It is the top of the women's game globally — WNBA draft position and roster spots are the sport's defining professional credentials for women — and its expansion-era franchise valuations and ratings mark the fastest growth in American team sports.[2] [3]
References
- WNBA — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- WNBA — Aces win 2025 WNBA Finals. Accessed August 2026.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — WNBA. Accessed August 2026.