The WNBA will be expanding to a 50-game schedule starting next season, the league announced Wednesday.

The move comes after the WNBA and players association agreed to a seven-year collective bargaining agreement in March that included up to 50 games being played in 2027 and ‘28, and up to 52 from 2029-32.

Eight teams played 28 games each in the league’s inaugural season in 1997, and the schedule continued to expand with the addition of clubs.

There are currently 15 teams playing a 44-game schedule, and the WNBA will be adding franchises to Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (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 in a statement.

“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.”

The WNBA announced today that the league will expand its regular season schedule to 50 games in 2027. pic.twitter.com/5JvUQYFWpM

— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) June 17, 2026