The WNBA is the top professional women’s basketball league in the United States. Since its launch in 1997, it has grown from just eight teams to 15 franchises, attracting fans from around the world.
One of the league’s most interesting features is its unique team names. Names like Aces, Storm, Fever, and Mercury reflect the history, culture, or identity of their cities.
In this guide, you’ll discover the full list of WNBA team names, their meanings, former franchises, championship history, and the latest expansion updates.
Let’s start with the full lineup.
Complete List of WNBA Team Names
Here’s every team currently playing in the WNBA for the 2026 season, along with their home city, founding year, and arena.
| Team Name | City | Founded | Home Arena | Conference |
| Atlanta Dream | College Park, GA | 2008 | Gateway Center Arena | Eastern |
| Chicago Sky | Chicago, IL | 2006 | Wintrust Arena | Eastern |
| Connecticut Sun | Uncasville, CT | 2003 | Mohegan Sun Arena | Eastern |
| Indiana Fever | Indianapolis, IN | 2000 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Eastern |
| New York Liberty | Brooklyn, NY | 1997 | Barclays Center | Eastern |
| Toronto Tempo | Toronto, ON | 2026 | Coca-Cola Coliseum | Eastern |
| Washington Mystics | Washington, D.C. | 1998 | CareFirst Arena | Eastern |
| Dallas Wings | Arlington, TX | 1998 | College Park Center | Western |
| Golden State Valkyries | San Francisco, CA | 2025 | Chase Center | Western |
| Las Vegas Aces | Paradise, NV | 1997 | Michelob Ultra Arena | Western |
| Los Angeles Sparks | Los Angeles, CA | 1997 | Crypto.com Arena | Western |
| Minnesota Lynx | Minneapolis, MN | 1999 | Target Center | Western |
| Phoenix Mercury | Phoenix, AZ | 1997 | Mortgage Matchups Center | Western |
| Portland Fire | Portland, OR | 2026 | Moda Center | Western |
| Seattle Storm | Seattle, WA | 2000 | Climate Pledge Arena | Western |
That’s the full WNBA teams list for 2026, split evenly enough between seven Eastern Conference squads and eight Western Conference squads. Now let’s talk about how the league got to this number in the first place.
How Many WNBA Teams Are There?
As of the 2026 season, there are 15 teams in the WNBA. That’s the biggest the league has ever been, and it’s still growing.
The most recent additions came in waves. The Golden State Valkyries joined in 2025 as the league’s 13th franchise, becoming an instant success both on the court and in attendance numbers. Then in 2026, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire debuted as the 14th and 15th teams, with Toronto making history as the league’s first Canadian franchise.
The expansion isn’t stopping there. The WNBA has announced plans to reach 18 teams by 2030, with new franchises coming to:
- Cleveland in 2028
- Detroit in 2029
- Philadelphia in 2030
This growth is largely fueled by a surge in popularity around women’s basketball, thanks to stars like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Angel Reese drawing record crowds and TV ratings. With that context in mind, let’s break these teams down a different way — by location.
WNBA Team Names by City and State
If you’re trying to figure out which WNBA team is closest to you, here’s the same list organized by city and state.
| City | State/Province | Team |
| College Park | Georgia | Atlanta Dream |
| Chicago | Illinois | Chicago Sky |
| Uncasville | Connecticut | Connecticut Sun |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | Indiana Fever |
| Brooklyn | New York | New York Liberty |
| Toronto | Ontario, Canada | Toronto Tempo |
| Washington | D.C. | Washington Mystics |
| Arlington | Texas | Dallas Wings |
| San Francisco | California | Golden State Valkyries |
| Paradise | Nevada | Las Vegas Aces |
| Los Angeles | California | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Minneapolis | Minnesota | Minnesota Lynx |
| Phoenix | Arizona | Phoenix Mercury |
| Portland | Oregon | Portland Fire |
| Seattle | Washington | Seattle Storm |
Interestingly, several WNBA franchises play in suburbs rather than downtown cores, like the Dream in College Park and the Wings in Arlington. That’s a small detail that often surprises new fans. Now let’s dig into where these team names actually came from.
What Do WNBA Team Names Mean?
Every WNBA team name has some kind of story behind it, whether it’s tied to local industry, history, or just a fitting bit of wordplay.
Atlanta Dream draws from the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, honoring the city’s civil rights history.
Chicago Sky references the city’s nickname, the “Windy City,” and its skyline, which fits Chicago’s identity as a major architectural hub.
Connecticut Sun connects to the Mohegan Sun Casino, which owns and operates the team, blending sports with the resort’s branding.
Indiana Fever was chosen to reflect “basketball fever,” playing on Indiana’s deep, well-known love for the sport.
New York Liberty is a nod to the Statue of Liberty, one of the most recognizable symbols in New York and the entire country.
Toronto Tempo represents rhythm and pace, tying into both basketball’s fast tempo and the city’s energetic, multicultural vibe.
Washington Mystics was picked to sound powerful and a little mysterious, without tying directly to any single local landmark.
Dallas Wings reflects the aviation history of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, home to a major hub of the American aerospace industry.
Golden State Valkyries borrows from Norse mythology, where Valkyries are fierce female warriors, a name meant to symbolize strength and power.
Las Vegas Aces ties into Las Vegas’s casino culture, where an “ace” represents a winning hand or top-tier performance.
Los Angeles Sparks was meant to evoke energy and excitement, matching the fast-paced entertainment reputation of Los Angeles.
Minnesota Lynx references the wild lynx, an animal native to Minnesota’s forests, symbolizing speed and sharp instincts.
Phoenix Mercury connects to the Roman god Mercury, known for speed, along with a nod to Arizona’s historic copper and mining industry.
Portland Fire represents intensity and passion, and the name was actually revived from an earlier Portland WNBA franchise that existed years ago.
Seattle Storm reflects the Pacific Northwest’s famously rainy, stormy weather, giving the team a name that instantly connects to its home city.
Some of these names run deeper than others, but nearly all of them tie back to something distinctly local. That local connection also shows up in a handful of teams that no longer exist.
Former WNBA Team Names That No Longer Exist
Not every WNBA franchise has made it to today. Here’s a look at teams that folded, relocated, or rebranded over the years.
| Former Team | Years Active | What Happened | Current Status |
| Houston Comets | 1997–2008 | Folded after ownership couldn’t be sold during the financial downturn | Defunct |
| Cleveland Rockers | 1997–2003 | Folded due to falling attendance and no buyer | Defunct (Cleveland returns in 2028) |
| Sacramento Monarchs | 1997–2009 | Folded after ownership issues tied to the Sacramento Kings | Defunct |
| Charlotte Sting | 1997–2007 | Folded after low attendance and financial struggles | Defunct |
| Miami Sol | 2000–2002 | Folded during a wave of league contraction | Defunct |
| Original Portland Fire | 2000–2002 | Folded due to ownership pulling financial support | Name revived for 2026 expansion team |
| Utah Starzz | 1997–2002 | Relocated to San Antonio, later became the Las Vegas Aces | Active as Las Vegas Aces |
| Orlando Miracle | 1999–2002 | Relocated to Connecticut, became the Connecticut Sun | Active as Connecticut Sun |
| Detroit Shock | 1998–2009 | Relocated to Tulsa, then to Arlington as the Dallas Wings | Active as Dallas Wings |
The Houston Comets folding is especially notable, since that franchise won the league’s first four championships before its financial collapse in 2008. On a related note, Connecticut’s ownership situation has already changed again heading toward 2027, with reports that the Sun franchise will eventually relocate to Houston and take on the Comets name once more, reviving one of the league’s most storied identities.
New WNBA Expansion Teams and Future Team Names
The WNBA’s growth over the next few years is one of the biggest storylines in the sport right now. Here’s what’s coming.
Toronto already made its debut in 2026 as the Tempo, becoming the league’s first team based outside the United States. The team plays at Coca-Cola Coliseum and has generated strong local interest, building on a sold-out preseason exhibition game back in 2023 that first proved the market’s potential.
Portland also joined in 2026 with the Fire, a name pulled from the city’s earlier WNBA franchise that folded in 2002. The new Fire is owned by RAJ Sports and features veteran leadership on its coaching staff, including WNBA Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles as an assistant coach.
Cleveland is set to return to the league in 2028. The city previously hosted the Rockers from 1997 to 2003, and the new franchise will be owned by Rock Entertainment Group, the same ownership group behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Beyond these three, the WNBA is also planning franchises in Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030), which would bring the league to a total of 18 teams. This growth reflects the WNBA’s response to a major surge in fan interest, media rights value, and overall investment in women’s professional basketball. As these new franchises settle in, it’s worth looking back at which teams have actually won the most on the court.
Which WNBA Team Has Won the Most Championships?
Three franchises are tied for the most WNBA championships in league history, each with four titles.
| Team | Championships | Years Won |
| Houston Comets (defunct) | 4 | 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Minnesota Lynx | 4 | 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 |
| Seattle Storm | 4 | 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 |
| Las Vegas Aces | 3 | 2022, 2023, 2025 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | 3 | 2001, 2002, 2016 |
| Phoenix Mercury | 3 | 2007, 2009, 2014 |
| Dallas Wings (as Detroit Shock) | 3 | 2003, 2006, 2008 |
The Houston Comets were the league’s first true dynasty, winning every championship from the WNBA’s debut season through 2000 behind stars like Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes. Even though the franchise folded in 2008, no team has matched their run of four straight titles to open a league’s history.
The Minnesota Lynx built their own dynasty in the 2010s, reaching the WNBA Finals seven times, more than any other franchise, and winning four of those appearances. The Seattle Storm matched that same four-title mark in 2020, becoming the only other franchise besides the Comets to remain undefeated in Finals appearances.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces have quickly become one of the league’s newest dynasties, winning three titles in just four seasons behind stars like A’ja Wilson. It’s a strong reminder that championship windows in the WNBA can open fast for teams that build the right roster.
Fun Facts About WNBA Team Names
Here are some interesting details that even longtime fans might not know.
- The New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks are two of only four franchises remaining from the WNBA’s original 1997 season.
- The Las Vegas Aces franchise has actually existed under three different names and in three different cities: Utah, San Antonio, and Las Vegas.
- The Toronto Tempo is the first WNBA team based outside the United States in league history.
- Golden State Valkyries reached a franchise valuation of $1 billion within their first season, the highest in league history.
- The Portland Fire name is a revival of a franchise that already existed in the league from 2000 to 2002.
- Detroit Shock, now the Dallas Wings, is the only franchise in league history to relocate twice.
- The Houston Comets remain the only team to win four consecutive championships in WNBA history.
- The Minnesota Lynx hold the record for most WNBA Finals appearances, with seven trips to the championship series.
- Cleveland’s upcoming 2028 team will mark the city’s WNBA return after the Rockers folded back in 2003.
- The Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks are both original members of the league dating back to 1997.
- Several WNBA arenas, like College Park Center and Gateway Center Arena, are located in suburbs rather than the main city the team represents.
- The WNBA’s expansion fees have grown dramatically, with new franchises like Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia reportedly paying $250 million each to join.
These small details add a lot of texture to the league’s history, especially for fans who are just getting into the sport. With all of that covered, let’s run through some quick answers to common questions.
FAQs
How many WNBA teams are there?
There are 15 teams in the WNBA as of the 2026 season, split into seven Eastern Conference teams and eight Western Conference teams.
What is the newest WNBA team?
The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire are the newest franchises, both debuting in 2026 as the league’s 14th and 15th teams.
Which WNBA team has the most championships?
The Houston Comets, Minnesota Lynx, and Seattle Storm are tied for the most titles, with four championships each.
Which cities have WNBA teams?
WNBA franchises are based in cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, New York, Toronto, Washington D.C., Dallas, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle.
What do the team names mean?
Most WNBA team names connect to local history, culture, or industry, like the Dallas Wings referencing the region’s aviation history or the Phoenix Mercury nodding to Arizona’s mining past.
Are more teams joining the WNBA?
Yes. Cleveland joins in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030, bringing the league to 18 total franchises.
Which WNBA teams no longer exist?
Former franchises include the Houston Comets, Cleveland Rockers, Sacramento Monarchs, Charlotte Sting, and Miami Sol.
What was the first WNBA team to win a championship?
The Houston Comets won the league’s first championship in 1997, then went on to win the next three as well.
Is there a Canadian WNBA team?
Yes, the Toronto Tempo became the league’s first Canadian franchise when it debuted in 2026.
How many original WNBA teams are still active?
Four original 1997 franchises remain active in some form: the Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, and the Las Vegas Aces (originally the Utah Starzz).
Conclusion
The WNBA has come a long way since its first eight-team season back in 1997, and its team names tell a big part of that story. From the historical weight behind the Atlanta Dream to the brand-new energy of the Toronto Tempo, every franchise carries a little piece of its city’s identity.
With expansion continuing through 2030 and fan interest at an all-time high, there’s never been a better time to start following the WNBA, whether you’re rooting for a decades-old franchise or one of the league’s newest additions. Keep an eye on how these newer teams build their own histories in the years ahead — the next great WNBA dynasty might be just getting started.
