WNBA: These numbers prove the league’s expanding, global fanbase

The annual StubHub WNBA season preview is out and fans won’t be surprised by some of its observations. Yes, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever remain the hottest tickets in town, while Paige Bueckers increased the number of fans excited to watch the Dallas Wings play in person.

What stands out—and might surprise—is the over two-fold rise in the number of fan from outside the US interested in attending the WNBA games in person. StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli explained the increase to Swish Appeal, sharing:

The surge in international demand, up from 12 countries in 2024 to 29 this season on StubHub, is a testament to the WNBA’s skyrocketing cultural relevance and part of a larger trend we’re seeing across all major sports leagues, including the MLB, NFL, etc.

Caitlin Clark’s historic rookie year and the continued dominance and visibility of superstars like A’ja Wilson are key drivers behind the league’s growing audience. The increased attention on the league and these incredibly talented athletes is well deserved and we’re thrilled to see this momentum build and continue.

How can the 2025 season further expand the WNBA’s global fanbase footprint?

With the launch of Unrivaled, this past offseason saw more WNBA superstars stay in the US, rather than player overseas. This impacted the level of competition in Europe and limited American players’ exposure to international audiences. Yet, this new reality might, in fact, benefit the WNBA, as fans abroad might be hungrier to watch the players they became fans of when they previously suited up for clubs competing in EuroLeague Women or EuroCup Women as well as in the leagues in Australia and China. Budelli noted:

International ticket purchases are a clear signal that global popularity is growing. Fans from nearly 30 countries are purchasing tickets to WNBA games on StubHub, which reflects a growing appetite for women’s basketball worldwide. Additionally, the Toronto Tempo is set to join as the league’s first team outside the US next year, and the WNBA’s international footprint is only going to grow further.

How diverse are the countries demonstrating increased interest in the W? According to Budelli:

The range of countries with people buying WNBA tickets on StubHub is impressively diverse, spanning known basketball hubs like France, Australia, and Spain to more surprising markets like Japan, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. This diversity is a strong indicator that the WNBA’s appeal is extending far beyond the core basketball audience.

One particularly notable trend: we’re seeing ticket buyers from Taiwan, which was not a country represented in StubHub’s 2024 WNBA Preview, following the Valkyries drafting the league’s first Taiwanese American player, Kaitlyn Chen.

And while Chen was waived by the Valkyries, hopefully the momentum will continue and we’ll see further increase in fan interest from around the globe.