The WNBA is nearing the end of its longest regular season ever, with all 13 teams having 10 or fewer games left to determine the eight playoff contenders. The Minnesota Lynx (28-6) have all but secured their spot as the top team, while the Connecticut Sun (7-27), Chicago Sky led by Angel Reese (8-26), and Dallas Wings featuring likely Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers (9-26) face slim-to-no chances of advancing past the regular season’s close on September 11. This leaves eight teams battling for the remaining seven playoff spots, promising an exciting and heart-pounding finish. Adding to the intrigue, Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark could return before the postseason, filling a gap left by Sophie Cunningham’s season-ending injury, which has stretched the Fever’s rotation thin.
A Record-Breaking Season Fueled by Star Power
Last season was a turning point for the WNBA, with unprecedented achievements in viewership, merchandise sales, and arena sellouts. The 2024 campaign set the stage, drawing over 2.35 million fans across 240 games, the highest attendance in 22 years. This year, the league has taken it to another level, surpassing the 2002 attendance record of 2,364,736 fans in just 215 games, with 64 games still to play as of August 21, 2025. The WNBA has already welcomed 2,431,739 fans this season, averaging over 11,000 per game-a new benchmark that could climb higher by the season’s end on September 11.
The introduction of the Golden State Valkyries in 2025 has been a game-changer. The expansion team, playing at the Chase Center, has sold out all 16 home games, attracting 289,024 fans and becoming a major driver of the league’s attendance boom.
The New York Liberty, fresh off their 2024 championship, have also seen a 29% increase in per-game attendance, surpassing their 2024 total by nearly 25,000 fans despite playing fewer games. Every WNBA team has reported double-digit attendance growth, with the Indiana Fever’s 319% spike leading the way, followed by the Los Angeles Sparks (69%) and the Liberty (64%).
This season’s success isn’t limited to the stands. Viewership has soared, with 2024’s regular season attracting over 54 million unique viewers across networks like ABC, ESPN, and CBS. The 2025 season is on track to continue this trend, with games like the Fever’s matchup against the Chicago Sky on June 23, 2024, drawing 2.35 million viewers-the most-watched WNBA game in 23 years.
Rising Stars Drive Unprecedented Growth
The surge in popularity isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the stars lighting up the court. Rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who took the league by storm in 2024, have been pivotal. Despite injuries sidelining both players at times this season, their impact from last year continues to resonate, drawing massive crowds. Clark’s Indiana Fever leads the league with over 300,000 fans attending their 18 home games, while Reese’s Chicago Sky remains a draw despite their struggles.
Add to that the emergence of Paige Bueckers, the likely 2025 Rookie of the Year, and established stars like Napheesa Collier (last year’s Defensive Player of the Year and a 2025 MVP frontrunner), A’ja Wilson (still a dominant MVP candidate), and reigning champions Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart. Together, these players have elevated women’s basketball to its highest point ever, captivating fans and filling arenas.
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