PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Women's National Basketball Association announced a historic expansion on Monday that will bring the league a new franchise in Philadelphia, following years of speculation and advocacy from the city's basketball community.
The new team is slated to debut in 2030, when the Sixers will open their new arena. The team, which has not yet been named, will share that arena with the Sixers and the Flyers.
a new home team. pic.twitter.com/d7Sque4161
— PhilaWNBA (@philawnba) June 30, 2025
The WNBA also announced new teams coming to Cleveland in 2028 and Detroit in 2029.
"The W is leveling UP," the league shared on X Monday. "Three new teams, three new cities, one unstoppable future."
Rumors have circulated for years that Philadelphia was being eyed by the WNBA for expansion. The city has a long and storied basketball history that extends far beyond the presence of the modern day Sixers. Luminaries and all time greats ranging from Wilt Chamberlain and Earl Monroe to Dawn Staley and Kahleah Copper hail from the city, and the success of the Villanova, Temple, and St. Joseph's basketball programs routinely brings national attention to the city come March and NCAA tourney time.
The landmark announcement Monday will bring the size of the WNBA from its current 13 teams to 18 by 2030.
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