Becky Hammon Welcomes WNBA's Expansion to 50-Game Season in 2027

PHOENIX — When Becky Hammon became the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces in 2022, the WNBA's regular season featured just 36 games. However, by 2027, that number is set to rise to 50. "We just keep tacking on games," Hammon remarked on Wednesday, just before the Aces faced off against the Phoenix Mercury. "More money, more games. That's the way it works."

This announcement, made by the league on Wednesday, signifies a significant increase in the regular-season schedule from 44 games to 50, reflecting the growing demand for women's basketball, according to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Further details regarding the 2027 season, including important dates, will be disclosed in the future, which has piqued Hammon's interest.

"We'll have to see if they allow even some more roster spots and stuff like that because that's a lot of wear and tear on a group, especially when you start mixing World Cup and all this other stuff," Hammon noted, referencing the 2027 FIBA Women's AmeriCup tournament in El Salvador. "It is good. I mean, it is what it is. It's the growth of the league, and when you look at it through that lens, it's good."

Similarly, Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts expressed his approval of the expansion, while also highlighting potential scheduling challenges. "Our league is continuing to expand, more people are seeing it, so I think more games is good," he stated. "But there's going to be some challenges as far as the scheduling in that window that they've played in or that we've played in over the last couple of years." Tibbetts stressed the importance of balancing the increased number of games with adequate practice time.

The WNBA has seen a steady rise in the number of regular-season games over the years, growing from 32 games in 2021 to 44 games in 2025 and 2026. Engelbert emphasized that this increase to 50 games demonstrates the league's commitment to expanding its reach and providing fans with more opportunities to enjoy top-tier women's basketball. As outlined in the recent collective bargaining agreement, the 2027 season will conclude no later than November 21, with a potential expansion to 52 games by 2029.