Is the Caitlin Clark Effect Fading? WNBA Scheduling Shifts for 2026 Season
The WNBA's 2026 schedule is already being influenced by Caitlin Clark's injury-plagued 2025 season. The league aims to capitalize on heightened interest by moving 19 games to larger arenas in 2026, up from 15 last season.
However, Clark's groin injuries limited her to just 13 games in 2025, impacting ticket sales for her Indiana Fever. As a result, the WNBA will only move four Fever games to larger arenas next season, including a July 5th showdown with the Las Vegas Aces at T-Mobile Arena and an August 8th clash with the Chicago Sky at the United Center.
Despite Clark's injury, the Fever remained the WNBA's top draw in 2025, averaging 15,884 fans on the road. Many of the games moved to larger arenas still sold out, but before Clark's injury. The Chicago Sky, meanwhile, plan to host their first two games of the season at the United Center, home of the NBA's Chicago Bulls.
A Fever spokesperson acknowledged the decision, stating they can't comment on other teams' venue choices. Clark, entering her third season with the Fever, has attracted a dedicated fan base from her University of Iowa days, where she became the all-time leading scorer in women's college basketball. Her talent and charisma have significantly boosted the WNBA's viewership and attendance over the past two years.
The 2026 season's schedule hangs in the balance due to ongoing labor issues. The WNBA's season starts on May 8th, contingent on a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union. Clark, a rising star, understands the importance of this CBA for the league's future.
'This is the biggest moment the WNBA has ever seen,' Clark emphasized. 'We'll fight for what we deserve, but we also need to play basketball. Our fans crave that, and that's how we make money and grow the league.'
The 2026 season will feature 44 games over five months, with a 17-day break for the FIBA World Cup in early September. The WNBA added two new teams, Portland and Toronto, last year, and kept the schedule at 44 games despite the World Cup. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert highlighted the season's significance:
'The 2026 season celebrates the WNBA's past, present, and future. With record games, global reach, and momentum, this milestone season will define the WNBA's next chapter.'
The early release of the schedule allows teams to sell ticket packages, plan travel, and secure arena dates. However, the WNBA hopes to increase the number of games in future years, a change that would require a new CBA.
