FAQ
The new season in the WNBA begins at the weekend. For several reasons, it will be a special season in the best league in women’s basketball. We clarify the most important questions.
When does it start?
Two games will open the new WNBA season on Sunday night (1.30 a.m. German time). The Washington Mystics meet Atlanta Dream, the Dallas Wings also play against Minnesota Lynx, the runner -up last season. Defending champion New York Liberty denies his opening game against the Las Vegas Aces in the evening at 7 p.m.
Which German players are there?
For the first time, four Germans could be under contract in the WNBA. In addition to Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury) as well as the two Champions Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally (both New York), Luisa Geiselsöder has also made it into the best basketball league for women. The center plays the preparation at Dallas and could make it into the squad after she had already been in the Preseason in 2021 and 2022.
Germany’s Luisa Geiselsöder in action
Who are the stars in the league?
The figurehead is Caitlin Clark, who played a strong first season in terms of sport, but above all has an incredible value for the league – more on that later. Because the 23-year-old is assessed even higher in her second season, her team, Indiana Fever, is one of the most promising candidates for the title. The big stars also include A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas), Napheesa Collier (Minnesota), Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ioanescu (both New York).
Satou Sabally is increasingly part of the group of best players. She moved from Dallas to Phoenix, where with Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Cooper he has two outstanding teammates. In the past, however, Sabally often had to struggle with injuries. In the 2024 season, she only came up with 15 missions in 40 games of the regular season and achieved an average of 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and five assists.
Who are the favorites for the title?
The two last year finalists New York and Minnesota are the most traded, and Las Vegas and Indiana are also considered promising candidates. In addition to Phoenix, Seattle Storm are also attributed to good chances.
What’s new this season?
For the first time, 13 teams are in the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries have recently been part of the league. In the course of this, the number of games in the regular season was increased from 40 to 44, the main round ends on September 11th. The top 8 qualifies for the playoffs, in which cross (1st, 8th, 2nd against 7. Etc.) in the “Best-of-Three” mode. Because of the European Championship from June 18 to 29, the league will not take a break.
It is already clear that the WNBA is standing before a record season. According to the American media, ticket sales have risen by over 140 percent compared to last year, so the halls are fully than ever.
What comes after this season?
After the new season, a new era will begin in the WNBA. With teams from Toronto and Portland, there will be two other newcomers in 2026, but above all the topic will play a much larger topic from the following season.
The enormous hype around Clark (3.1 million followers on Instagram) or the popularity of Angel Reese (4.9 million) puts the TV income up. The new contract from 2026 will bring the league around $ 200 million per season for eleven years, and salaries are expected to increase by around 30 percent.
This is also why many stars are only contractually bound until the end of the new season, Sabally has only signed in Phoenix for a year and can then use the money boom in the WNBA. With the increase, the time could also be over when the players are still active with other teams during the break in the USA. For example, Fiebich only got in preparation in New York later because she played for Valencia Basket in the Spanish league.