When Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham arrived in the WNBA in 2019, there were 34 regular-season games. The league played a 22-game schedule the following season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast forward to the 2026 season: Teams are playing a 44-game schedule.
However, as the league continues to expand and deliver a better product on the court, the number of games is also going to increase.
On Wednesday, the WNBA announced "it will expand its regular season schedule from 44 games this year to 50 games beginning with the 2027 season."
"Demand for the WNBA has never been greater, and expanding to a 50-game regular season reflects the extraordinary momentum we are seeing across the league," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated in a press release.
"This move reflects our commitment to growing the game and creating more opportunities for fans to watch the best players in the world and experience the extraordinary talent and competition that define the WNBA."
Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The WNBA added two expansion franchises this year, but did not expand the schedule due to the uncertainty of the new collective bargaining agreement negotiations. By time a deal was reached in mid-March, there wasn't time to redesign the schedule. The league is also scheduled to add one expansion team per year from 2028 through 2030.
Cunningham, for her part, doesn't see any issue with the league's decision to increase the number of games starting with the 2027 season. During her appearance as a guest contributor for USA Network's WNBA broadcast, she addressed the news and emphasized why it makes sense.
"Yeah, you know my knees are already starting to hurt a little bit more. I'm just gonna say that," Cunningham said jokingly. "But I do say, you know, if we're gonna be getting paid that amount of money, then you're expected to play more games."
She also thinks "it's fair" so that the WNBA can "put a product out there for longer for people to enjoy."
"I think you're gonna see the season expand into November, and so I'm all for it," Cunningham added.
To Cunningham's point, salaries for players now range from a minimum of $270,000 up to $1.4 million under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement. Each team's salary cap also increased from $1.5 million in 2025 to $7 million, per ESPN.
It remains to be seen how the increased number games will affect the players and how teams manage player health. Clearly, though, Cunningham is excited to compete and put out the best product for fans to enjoy.
