Contenders to rebuilders: WNBA championship tiers for the 2026 season
Contenders to rebuilders: WNBA championship tiers for the 2026 season
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAYMon, May 4, 2026 at 10:15 AM UTC
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Contenders to rebuilders: WNBA championship tiers for the 2026 season
When the 2026 WNBA season tips off on Friday, May 8, teams start separating themselves into competitive tiers.
In 2025, the Las Vegas Aces finished one of the greatest title runs in league history. With .500 record at the All-Star break, Las Vegas rattled off 16 straight wins to get to the postseason. The Aces then survived two down-to-the-wire playoff matchups with the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever to reach the Finals, where they later swept the Phoenix Mercury.
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That sort of grit and determination places the Aces on a different level than many franchises and, for the 2026 season, automatically places them in the championship contender tier once again. Who else has a chance to win a title this season? Which teams have more work to do?
From contenders to rebuilding, here's where each franchise lands in USA TODAY's tiers ahead of the season tip off. (Each tier has teams listed in alphabetical order.):
Tier 1: Championship contenders -
Atlanta Dream: While Atlanta lost center Brittney Griner to free agency, it returned four of five starters, a major victory for a team pushing to surpass a franchise-best 30 wins achieved last season. The Dream also returned the leader of its bench unit, Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon, and added two-time All-Star Angel Reese via trade. If Atlanta can find a combination of players who can contribute to its bench, it could make the Finals for the first time since 2013.
Indiana Fever: The Fever's title hopes start and end with the health of Caitlin Clark, who played 13 games last season because of series of soft tissue injuries. Indiana still made it within one game of the WNBA Finals but ran out of steam as injuries took their toll with the season on the line. Clark is healthy now and, with help from Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, Indiana is poised to make a deep run again and potentially win the franchise's second title.
Las Vegas Aces: After winning three championships in four years, the Aces want to rewrite history this season. "Hunger is still prevalent with this group, just because we're chasing something that hasn't been done before. I don't think anybody's ever went back-to-back twice (on) two different occasions," Aces point guard Chelsea Gray said. Vegas likely has the best chance of any team to win another title after bringing back eight players from its 2025 championship roster and adding pieces like guard Chennedy Carter.
New York Liberty: The Liberty didn't look like themselves last season largely because of injuries. New York was bounced from the first round of the playoffs, a shocking development for the 2024 champions. The Liberty's core ― Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart ― are back, and they've added three-time WNBA All-Star Satou Sabally to the lineup. Sabally instantly elevates New York's profile on both ends of the floor, making New York an early candidate to win another title.
1 / 0WNBA No. 1 overall draft picks by year2026: Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings (Connecticut)Tier 2: Playoff locks -
Golden State Valkyries: In 2025, the Valkyries became the first expansion franchise in WNBA history to make the playoffs, and with newcomer Gabby Williams in the fold, Golden State could make the postseason again. Williams is a lightning rod on both sides of the floor and could be a nightmare to defend beside stars Veronica Burton and Kayla Thornton. Furthermore, should Golden State deploy a similar version of its top-five ranked defense from last season, it will be in a position to surpass its 23 wins and potentially secure a top playoff seed.
Los Angeles Sparks: The Sparks have so much experience and veteran leadership, it's hard not to pencil them in for a playoff run. Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, Ariel Atkins and Nneka Ogwumike have collectively won five titles, and that goes a long way for a team looking to win more. The Sparks feel like a team that could play spoiler when the postseason arrives. The key for L.A. will be getting the most out of its bench, led by former No. 2 overall pick Cameron Brink and veteran guard Erica Wheeler.
Minnesota Lynx: The Lynx won't see Napheesa Collier before June, leaving it up in the air how successful the team might be in the first half of the season. Minnesota also lost starters Bridget Carleton and Alanna Smith plus bench pieces Natisha Hiedeman and Jessica Shepard in free agency. The Lynx still have Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams and newcomer Natasha Howard to help keep them afloat, but the team's ceiling beyond making the playoffs is unknown.
Phoenix Mercury: The Phoenix Mercury made it to the WNBA Finals last season behind the strength of its core ― Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas ― and a productive bench. After one season, Sabally moved on to New York, leaving Phoenix to replace her production by committee. Phoenix will likely make the playoffs, but without Sabally, another WNBA Finals run is a tall task.
Tier 3: Playoff hopefuls -
Chicago Sky: For the third consecutive season, the Sky's roster doesn't look similar to the one in the year prior, making it hard to establish consistency. Still, Chicago has plenty of experienced players who can help it be competitive, including newcomers Skylar Diggins, Rickea Jackson and DiJonai Carrington, plus Courtney Vandersloot and Azurá Stevens, who were on the 2021 championship team.
Dallas Wings: With a first-year WNBA head coach and multiple new faces in Dallas, the Wings hope to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. Dallas' ceiling is extremely high on paper, backed by its guard trio, which includes No. 1 draft pick Azzi Fudd, and an upgraded front court, featuring co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith.
Tier 4: Building or rebuilding -
Connecticut Sun: It's hard to gauge just how good the Sun will be with a move to Houston next season on the horizon and only four players on the roster with more than five years of experience. With veteran center Brittney Griner serving as a mentor, the Sun will learn and have fun even if reaching the playoffs may is out of reach.
Portland Fire: The Fire chasing the Valkyries' expansion team standards set last year: 20 wins and a playoff spot. That's a gigantic goal for a new franchise, but players like Bridget Carleton (26 playoff games) and WNBA champion Megan Gustafson (16 playoff games) can help Portland's young roster understand its possible.
Seattle Storm: The Storm lost four out of its five starters from last season and multiple bench players. However, Seattle can lean on All-Star Ezi Magbegor and WNBA champion Stefanie Dolson to help guide its young roster. With first-round picks Awa Fam, Flau'jae Johnson and Taina Mair also in the mix, the Storm can work towards forming their new identity.
Toronto Tempo: The Tempo's offense promises to be exciting with head coach Sandy Brondello, who spent the past four seasons with New York Liberty. Brondello helped the Liberty become a top-five offense in three of her four seasons and could bring that same successful formula to Toronto. The Tempo will need it as they assimilate into the league.
Washington Mystics: With an average roster age of 23 years old, there's a full youth movement in Washington. Still, the Mystics have two All-Stars − Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron − leading the way. Center Shakira Austin is also an underrated piece that could help the team's continued rise.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: From dynasties to rebuilds, the WNBA’s 2026 tiers take shape
Source: “AOL Sports”
