WNBA Power Rankings: How every team stacks up ahead of the 2026 season

The 30th WNBA season tips-off Friday night with the expansion Toronto Tempo hosting the Washington Mystics. Joining Toronto as the new kids on the block are the Portland Fire, who play their first game on Saturday at home against the Chicago Sky.

It was a bitter CBA fight, but the 2026 season is ready to go, freish off a record-breaking free agency period that saw the first million-dollar contracts awarded.

With the league now at 15 teams, it’s time for the first power rankings of the season. Can anyone top the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in 2026?

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1. Las Vegas Aces

Las Vegas swept Phoenix in the 2025 WNBA Finals and they look as strong as ever in 2026. Reigning back-to-back league MVP A’ja Wilson leads the charge with other returnees like Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young. The core of this team is the same as last year, so until we see otherwise, they reign supreme at the top of the power rankings.

2. New York Liberty

New York boasts a stacked lineup and no one would be surprised to see a Liberty vs. Aces final this year. Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, Leonie Fiebich and Jonquel Jones arguably stack up better than any starting lineup in the league and new head coach Chris DeMarco should breathe new life into this group.

3. Indiana Fever

Indiana’s Caitlin Clark was the face of the league before she played her first game and entering year three it seems like only a matter of time before she really puts her stamp on the league. The Fever’s hopes essentially rely on Clark remaining healthy as they were able to push Las Vegas to five games in last year’s semifinals without their star point guard.

4. Los Angeles Sparks

Kelsey Plum returns to the Sparks for a second year, but the two-time WNBA champion and four-time All-Star will be missing some teammates from last year. The Toronto Tempo selected starter Julie Allemand in the expansion draft, while Azura Stevens left in free agency and Rickea Jackson was traded to Chicago. However, L.A. should still be a force with Plum and top free agent signing Nneka Ogwumike.

5. Atlanta Dream

Last year was a turnaround season for the Dream as they finished above the .500 mark and won a playoff game for the first time since 2018. Adding Angel Reese to a largely returning roster should make Atlanta a playoff team again in 2026.

6. Minnesota Lynx

Minnesota will have to survive without Napheesa Collier until June as she deals with an ankle injury. How quickly Collier can get back up to speed and how well rookie Olivia Miles acclimates to the league will determine if the Lynx contention window remains open this season.

7. Dallas Wings

Dallas should be an exciting team to watch this year as first overall draft pick Azzi Fudd links up once again with former UConn teammate and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers. The Wings also added some veteran prescence with Alanna Smith, last year’s co-Defensive Player of the Year.

8. Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury were overwhelmed in last year’s WNBA Finals and losing Sabally from the roster won’t help. Alyssa Thomas will keep this team competitive, but they’ve definitely taken a step back.

9. Golden State Valkyries

Golden State will look to build on a hugely successful first season in which they became the first WNBA expansion team ever to reach the playoffs. Gabby Williams, who led the league in steals last season, is a strong addition, but it’s likely not enough to seriously contend with the likes of the Aces or Liberty.

10. Toronto Tempo

The Tempo clearly looked at Golden State’s blueprint from last season and saw a path to winning in 2026. Toronto became the first team in WNBA history to sign a player to a million-dollar contract when they inked Marina Mabrey. They also doubled down by giving Brittney Sykes the same contract to create the most expensive backcourt duo in league history. This team plans to be competitive right away.

11. Washington Mystics

The Mystics focused on adding through the draft this season with three first-round picks in Lauren Betts (fourth overall), Angela Dugalic (ninth) and Cotie McMahon (11th). Outside of those additions, it’s hard to see Washington producing a playoff calibre roster.

12. Chicago Sky

Chicago was busy in the month of April, trading picks to Toronto and Portland for expansion draft protection. The Sky’s biggest move was sending Reese to Atlanta, which netted first round draft picks in 2027 and 2028. This is a team looking to build further into the future beyond this season.

13. Connecticut Sun

There’s not much to say about the Sun. They are essentially waiting out the clock until they move to Houston next year, so you shouldn’t expect big things in 2026.

14. Seattle Storm

Seattle made the playoffs last year, but they were decimated in free agency. This year will be about developing younger players like third overall draft pick Awa Fam.

15. Portland Fire

Portland seems to have taken a more traditional expansion team approach than Toronto. The Fire don’t have much of a veteran presence outside of Canadian Bridget Carleton, so management’s immediate focus is likely adding to their future draft capital.