Michael Angelo Murillo · Basketball Network Fri, November 6, 2026 at 7:25 AM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WNBA is set to expand to Philadelphia in 2030, and fans are excited that the league will have a presence in one of the United States' major basketball markets.
Philly is part of the league's expansion to 18 total teams in the next four years, joining Cleveland in 2028 and Detroit in 2029. The ownership group of the Philadelphia 76ers will be behind the still-to-be-named team, which is set to play its home games at the New South Philadelphia Arena upon its completion.
The WNBA sees significant promise in its expansion plans over the next few years, viewing them as a reflection of the growing demand for women's basketball and the increasing depth of talent across the women's game.
Among those looking to see the WNBA descend on Philadelphia in four years is Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark . Aware of the rich basketball culture in the City of Brotherly Love, Clark sees the expansion as a boon to both the league and Philly fans.
The two-time All-WNBA First Team member shared her thoughts on the matter during her appearance on the "Not Gonna Lie" podcast of Kylie Kelce, wife of Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce. Clark shared she could only imagine the atmosphere in the city once its WNBA team starts playing.
"Philly has such a rich tradition in women's basketball. Like I'd imagine like these games are going to be what it's 2030 and the new arena will be done by then. It's going to be crazy. I think just the excitement level for that team," Clark shared .
When asked by Kylie if she would be interested in playing for Philadelphia's WNBA team, the 24-year-old do-it-all guard explained that the city's passionate fan base would be a major factor should she ever consider making the move.
"The thing about Philadelphia sports is I love how passionate the fans are. Like they're crazy, but I think it's awesome. Like Phillies fans and Eagles fans, um, Sixers fans, like they all seem kind of nuts, but I love it. Like I love that fandom. Like they want to win just as much as the players do. Possibly more, honestly," Clark said.
The WNBA's decision to include Philadelphia in its expansion plans comes as little surprise, given the city's rich basketball culture and long history of producing top women ballers.
Dawn Staley, Kahleah Copper, Natasha Cloud and Elena Delle Donne are among the players with ties to Philly who have gone on to make names for themselves in the WNBA.
The city also boasts a strong collegiate basketball scene, with programs at Temple, Villanova, University of Pennsylvania, Saint Joseph's, Drexel and La Salle. Beyond its basketball roots, Philadelphia is also a sizable television market, ranking fourth largest in the US behind New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
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As Philadelphia girds for its WNBA team, the Sixers' current success should bode well for preparation by keeping fans engaged.
Currently, the Sixers sit atop the NBA standings with an 8-1 record. They have won five straight and are looking formidable as the season progresses.
The All-Star quartet of Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and LeBron James are delivering on all fronts, with ample support from the rest of the team to round things out for Philadelphia.
A WNBA team in Philly appears to make a lot of sense. And should the franchise get the opportunity to bring Clark into the fold, the possibilities could become even more exciting.
Related: "That would probably be everybody's answer" – Caitlin Clark shares who is her toughest opponent in the WNBA
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: Sports
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