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Basketball enthusiasts will have more opportunities to watch their favorite players in action during the 2025 Women’s National Basketball Association season. The league’s regular season will expand from 40 to 44 games, and the Finals series will increase from five to seven games, starting next year. The Finals round will follow a 2-2-1-1-1 format for home games, with the higher seed hosting the first game.

The playoffs will also see a change in format, with the first round consisting of three games that will alternate hosts, instead of the higher seed hosting the first two games as in the current season. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert attributed these changes to the league’s growth in popularity and the implementation of charter flights for teams.

Additionally, the 2025 season will see the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries as the league’s 13th team. Two more expansion teams are scheduled to join in 2026, one in Toronto and the other in Portland. The WNBA’s recent media rights deal, valued at $2.2 billion for 11 seasons, reflects the league’s rising viewership, attendance, and engagement numbers.

The surge in popularity can be credited to a mix of exciting rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, as well as established stars like Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, the 2023 and 2024 MVPs, respectively. As the league continues to gain traction, more attention has been drawn to issues like racism and online harassment faced by players.

The ongoing Finals series between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty has captivated audiences, with the Lynx taking a 1-0 lead after a thrilling overtime victory. The growth of the WNBA mirrors a broader trend in the increasing popularity of women’s sports, attracting interest from media executives and investors alike.

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