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The WNBA is experiencing a significant uptick in ticket sales, influenced by the league debut of rookie sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and the return of stars like the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum.
According to StubHub, ticket sales for WNBA games have soared by 93% compared to last season, per the Associated Press. This follows StubHub's record demand during the women’s NCAA Tournament and the 2023 WNBA Finals.
Clark, drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever, has been a pivotal figure in this surge. Since her selection, Fever games have become a hot commodity. More than 500 tickets sold for their games since April 30 alone. A standout moment was a preseason game against Dallas, where floor-level seats were listed at an astonishing $791. The Fever now leads as the top trending team on StubHub, with significant interest in tickets for games where Clark will play.
The Aces, the two-time reigning WNBA champions, are also seeing a dramatic increase in ticket sales. Las Vegas, featuring stars like Wilson, Plum and Chelsea Gray, have nearly tripled their ticket sales compared to last year, with sales up 190%. Their popularity is evident as they host three of the top 10-selling games this season, and only a handful of season tickets remain available.
The New York Liberty, led by 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart, are not far behind, witnessing a 30% increase in ticket demand.
The heightened interest this season has led teams to move some games to larger venues to accommodate the growing crowds. For instance, the Aces have relocated their game against the Fever to the 18,000-seat T-Mobile Arena, significantly larger than their usual venue.
Caitlin Clark and other rookie stars' impact on the WNBA’s visibility
Clark’s impact extends beyond the Fever, affecting the entire league's economic landscape. The excitement surrounding her debut is mirrored in the WNBA's broadcasting schedule, which has significantly expanded to include 36 of the Fever’s 40 games on national television, covering a broad spectrum of networks.
The demand for WNBA tickets is also reflected in the secondary market, with Gametime reporting that all of the top 10 highest-priced WNBA games for the upcoming season feature the Indiana Fever. The most anticipated of these is set for July 14th against the Minnesota Lynx, where median ticket prices reached $615 in the days following the WNBA Draft on April 15.
Other teams have also changed venues to accommodate the demand for tickets. The June 7 game between the Washington Mystics and Indiana was moved to Capital One Arena, which can accommodate over 20,000 fans, compared to their usual venue, the Entertainment and Sports Arena, with a capacity of 4,200.
Other teams, like the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks, are facing challenges in accommodating the increased interest. The Sky are unable to move their June 23 game against the Fever to the United Center due to a scheduling conflict and the Sparks are dealing with venue conflicts due to construction. The Sparks will host their match against Indiana on May 24 at a 4,000-seat arena in Long Beach.
In Atlanta, the Dream play at a smaller venue with a 3,500-seat capacity and host Clark and the Fever on June 21. Despite the demand, the team has not announced any plans to seek a larger venue for this game.
