In its second edition, Unrivaled has significantly upgraded both its roster and its prize structure, turning it into a highly attractive 3×3 league during the WNBA offseason.
Fans have responded positively to the competition format and to the players involved. For the athletes, it has also become an appealing opportunity to continue earning substantial income while the WNBA remains on break.
Star power that draws crowds to Unrivaled, including Bueckers and Mitchell
The second edition will feature players who left a strong mark on the WNBA and became fan favorites throughout the recently completed 2025 season.
Through their performances, accuracy, leadership, and on-court dominance, these players captured the attention of fans, earning loyalty and support both inside arenas and through television broadcasts.
Among the featured names this year are Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell. The league was created by Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart.
Unrivaled originally launched with six teams, but for the edition beginning this Monday, January 5, 2026, two additional teams have been added, bringing the total to eight. All games will be played at the Sephora Arena in Miami and will air on TNT and/or truTV.
Forty-eight WNBA players will compete in Unrivaled
The tournament has grown in national visibility thanks to its fast-paced, efficient, and constant-action style that keeps fans engaged throughout each game. As a result, 48 WNBA players will participate in this year’s competition.
Although the pool of WNBA players involved has expanded, some of the league’s biggest stars, those who typically command attention simply by stepping onto the court, will not be available for this edition.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are not part of Unrivaled 2026
In the inaugural edition, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese participated and was even part of the championship-winning Rose BC team. However, the biggest star and face of the WNBA did not take part and will also be absent from the 2026 edition.
Reese will not participate either, as she has stated she prefers to focus on recovery and addressing physical issues to perform at a high level in 2025, aiming to return for her third season in peak condition.
Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu and Las Vegas Aces forward and league MVP A’ja Wilson will also not be part of the 2026 tournament. Opening-day matchups on Monday, January 5, are scheduled as follows:
- Mist vs. Hive, 1 p.m. ET on truTV
- Vinyl vs. Laces, 2:15 p.m. on truTV
- Lunar Owls vs. Rose, 8 p.m. on TNT and truTV
- Phantom vs. Breeze, 9:15 p.m. on TNT and truTV
The games are expected to deliver an exciting experience from early afternoon through the most anticipated nighttime matchups.
The rules differ from those of the WNBA. Games consist of three seven-minute periods. After the third period, eleven points are added to the leading team’s score, and a fourth untimed period is played until one team reaches that new target score.
Six teams qualify for the postseason, which will be held from February 28 to March 4. From February 11 to 14, league play pauses for a one-on-one tournament that awards a $200,000 prize.
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