The WNBA is expanding to 18 teams by 2030, and Philadelphia just became the crown jewel of this new era.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed the league’s long-term plan to grow from 12 to 18 franchises, with new teams in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and finally, Philly (2030). With Toronto and Portland already set to debut in 2026, this marks the most ambitious expansion wave in WNBA history.
Philly’s first WNBA franchise is coming in 2030
It’s official: the City of Brotherly Love is getting its first-ever WNBA team. Unlike Cleveland and Detroit, which once hosted former WNBA franchises, Philadelphia is a brand-new market — and one that’s been waiting for this opportunity for years.
The team will be owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the same group behind the 76ers. The franchise plans to eventually move into a brand-new arena being built in South Philly, projected to open between 2030 and 2031. In the meantime, the team could play at the current Wells Fargo Center — soon to be renamed the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Why now? The WNBA is booming
The expansion is happening during a massive surge of interest in women’s basketball. Stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are shattering viewership records and drawing millions of new fans to the WNBA. Attendance is up, sponsorships are flooding in, and cities like Philly are finally seeing the potential of investing in the women’s game.
This isn’t just a moment — it’s a movement.
What this means for Philadelphia and the WNBA
This is more than just another sports team. With plans for cutting-edge infrastructure and a built-in fanbase from the Sixers, Philadelphia will become a major player in the future of women’s sports.
Local rivalries will heat up immediately, especially with the New York Liberty and Washington Mystics already established. And the team’s state-of-the-art practice facility in Camden, New Jersey (currently used by the Sixers), will ensure top-tier development from day one.
Each new team will pay a reported $250 million expansion fee, helping fund facilities and development league-wide. By tying expansion to NBA ownership groups, the WNBA ensures both stability and long-term strategic alignment.
But Philadelphia stands out. Not just because of the market size or ownership muscle, but because of what the city represents. A rich sports culture. A hungry fanbase. And a chance to build something that inspires generations.