Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said the Unrivaled games in Philly will be part of the city’s semiquincentennial celebrations for the year. It’ll be made even sweeter knowing women’s professional basketball is coming to Philadelphia for the first time in more than 25 years.
“A whole generation has grown up without seeing the best women’s basketball players take the floor in this city, but that changes right now,” Parker said. “This is more than just a league for us. This revolutionary professional women’s basketball league is, in essence, reshaping the entire sports landscape.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said with Unrivaled coming to Philadelphia in January, it will be the first time women’s professional basketball has been in the city since 1998. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Since its launch, the league has gained major traction, securing a media rights deal with TNT Sports and reaching a $340 million valuation. Investors include NBA stars Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, tennis icon and Title IX trailblazer Billie Jean King, and Philly’s own basketball legend Dawn Staley.
The league played its inaugural season in Miami, with six teams featuring six players each. Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell said the league is “obviously honored to help kick off professional women’s basketball the right way.”
“It’s the first time we are leaving our home in Miami,” Bazzell said. “And what we always say is if we’re going to go somewhere, we’re going to go somewhere and do it right.”
In 2026, 48 players will suit up for the league across eight different teams. Notable Philly-based players will include WNBA champion Kahleah Copper and former Villanova standout Maddy Siegrist.
Unrivaled’s second season will start Jan. 5, 2026, and will air on TNT, truTV and stream on HBO Max.
The WNBA Finals start Friday between the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces in a best-of-seven series for the league’s top crown. Philadelphia’s WNBA expansion team will start playing in 2030.
