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BetKing's 2026 WNBA Season Preview: Contenders, MVP Race & Betting Tips

by Chike Nwoye


8 May 2026
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever dribbles beside A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces with both team logos displayed in the background.

This weekend marks the start of the WNBA’s milestone 30th season, and there’s no shortage of storylines to get excited about. To really understand the WNBA, you have to understand what makes it unique, and a big part of that is how player contracts work. Unlike the NBA and most other sports, where players usually sign 3–5 year deals for long-term security, WNBA players often prefer 1-year deals to keep control of their futures. 

This creates plenty of movement in free agency and means struggling teams don’t stay down for long. A couple of big signings can quickly turn them into contenders or dangerous dark horses, which is exactly what we could see this season with the Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky. 

Add in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which has boosted player salaries by 360%, and the landscape has shifted even more. Then there are the two new expansion teams. With the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire joining the league, the WNBA is now up to 15 teams. Still, only 8 will make the playoffs, just like last season. 

Two years ago, when there were only 12 teams, just 4 missed out, which didn’t exactly make for the fiercest regular season race. Now, with 7 of 15 teams (46%) set to miss the postseason, we’re looking at what could easily be the most competitive season yet.

Alright, let’s get into our basketball predictions of who we believe are the biggest title contenders, and the leading names in the MVP race.

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Major Title Contenders

The title resides in Las Vegas, and the Aces are heavy favourites to retain it. But who else do we think can put up proper challenges? Here’s our quartet of major contenders. 

Las Vegas Aces

The Aces head into the new WNBA season as the team to beat after completing a dominant 4-0 Finals sweep over the Phoenix Mercury to secure a third title in four years. Backed by a stacked core led by A'ja Wilson, Vegas are chasing history, with anything less than another championship likely viewed as failure.

Wilson remains the biggest draw. Already the league’s only four-time MVP at just 29, she’s still firmly in her prime and spearheads a roster loaded with proven winners. Alongside her, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd give the Aces arguably the most talented starting group in the league, combining for multiple All-WNBA honors and seven Olympic gold medals.

For the online betting community, Vegas’ consistency makes them a strong outright title play, while their regular-season win total will attract attention. The key number is 35 - one more than their franchise-record 34 wins in 2023, a mark tied by Minnesota last season. With coach Becky Hammon pushing this team toward dynasty status, expect motivation to dominate from the jump.

If there’s a slight concern, it’s depth, but the addition of Chennedy Carter gives them plenty of second-unit scoring after averaging 17.5 points in 2024. In fact, one of our betting tips for this season is for Carter to win Sixth Woman of the Year. 

New York Liberty

The New York Liberty head into the new season as one of the league’s most intriguing title contenders after a frustrating 2025 campaign derailed by injuries. Despite starting the season 9-0, their star trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones shared just 234 regular-season minutes, and their playoff exit to the Phoenix Mercury ended with major changes, including the departure of coach Sandy Brondello just one year after leading them to the title.

Now under new coach Chris DeMarco, the Liberty could offer serious betting value if they click early. Their roster might be the deepest in the league after adding Satou Sabally in one of the offseason’s biggest moves, while getting key returns from Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Marine Johannes and Han Xu.

The biggest storyline is how quickly this loaded squad adapts to DeMarco’s new offensive system. If chemistry develops fast, New York could challenge the Las Vegas Aces for top seed and become a strong outright title bet. Their versatility and size are unmatched and they’re expected to dominate and out-rebound most teams..

Key to their season’s success is Breanna Stewart’s health. After battling injuries last season, a fully fit Stewart is tipped for an MVP-caliber bounce-back, which could make her player prop markets attractive early in the campaign. She’s a two-time MVP, two-time finals MVP and three-time champion, which says a lot about how dangerous she can be when healthy. 

Indiana Fever

Alright, let’s talk about Caitlin Clark and the Fever. The Indiana Fever head into 2026 looking like genuine championship contenders after last season’s impressive playoff run ended in heartbreak against the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces. Despite battling major injuries, Indiana pushed Vegas to overtime in Game 5 of the semifinals - a clear sign this team is ready to compete at the highest level.

The biggest reason for optimism is their elite backcourt. Kelsey Mitchell is coming off a career-best 20.2 points per game and a fifth-place MVP finish, while Caitlin Clark returns healthy after playing just 13 games last season. Even in limited action, Clark remained one of the league’s most dangerous offensive engines, and her return instantly boosts Indiana’s title odds.

For the online sports betting folks, Indiana’s offensive upside makes them a strong pick for Overs in points, especially if Clark quickly returns to rookie-year form. Her shooting percentages dipped in the injury-hit 2025 campaign, but if those numbers rebound, this offense could be among the league’s most explosive.

The biggest concern is defense. Indiana ranked eighth in points allowed (81.5) and ninth in opponent field-goal percentage last season. That could leave them vulnerable in tighter matchups, though the additions of Raven Johnson, Monique Billings and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough should provide needed defensive depth.

Hot take here. Key to Indy’s success this season could be Aliyah Boston and not Clark. Already an All-WNBA and All-Defensive performer, Boston could take an even bigger leap this year if Clark’s playmaking creates easier scoring opportunities inside. During the playoff last season, she matched up excellently against A’ja Wilson, leaving the league and finals MVP frustrated for large spells of the series. A double-double average for Boston feels very realistic.

Rookie Raven Johnson is another name to watch. If she settles quickly as a dependable backup guard, Indiana’s depth gets a major boost.

If health smiles on them, the Fever has the firepower to win it all. Their victory in the Commissioner's Cup last season was a real statement and proof of the damage they can do. 

Atlanta Dream

Angel Reese poses in a red basketball jersey while holding a basketball in front of a stylized basketball background.

The Dream enters the new season as one of the league’s most dangerous teams after posting a franchise-record 30 wins last year, though their playoff run ended early with a first-round loss to the Indiana Fever. With a loaded core returning and a blockbuster addition in Angel Reese, Atlanta looks built to make serious noise.

The Dream’s biggest strength is efficiency. They led the league in protecting the ball with just 11.2 turnovers per game last season while also ranking third in offensive rebounds (8.9), giving themselves extra possessions consistently - a key stat for bettors eyeing spread and total markets.

The headline move is Reese’s arrival after the departure of Brittney Griner. Reese has been the WNBA’s top rebounder over the last two seasons, averaging 12.9 boards per game, while also contributing 14.1 points. That should immediately strengthen an Atlanta team that already led the league in rebounding.

Atlanta’s title hopes could hinge on the health of Brionna Jones, who is out indefinitely after knee surgery. Her absence could impact interior defense and scoring depth early in the season. Offensively, the trio of Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Reese offers major upside. Gray is coming off a career-best 18.4 points per game, while Howard could be set for a breakout shooting season after hitting 102 threes last year despite shooting just 32.2%.

Speaking of 3s, Atlanta’s 3-point efficiency is the key number to watch. They attempted the second-most threes in the league but ranked just seventh in percentage (33.7%). Even a slight improvement there could be the difference between another early exit and a deep playoff run. 

 

The Dark Horses

I’ll be slightly surprised if any of these guys win it (especially considering 3 of them missed the playoffs last year), but these are the four teams I consider dark horses.

Dallas Wings

The Dallas Wings head into 2026 as one of the league’s most fascinating wildcard teams. After a disappointing 10-34 campaign that ended with a coaching change, Dallas now looks like a team built for a serious turnaround thanks to a loaded young core and major roster upgrades.

The headline grabber for them is the electrifying backcourt built around reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers and fellow No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd. After winning a national title together at the University of Connecticut, expectations are sky high that they can recreate that chemistry in Dallas. With veteran scorer Arike Ogunbowale opting to stay, the Wings suddenly have one of the most explosive offensive backcourts in the league.

The biggest upgrade, though, is inside. Dallas revamped its frontcourt by adding Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, giving the Wings much-needed size and defensive stability after finishing second-worst in defensive rating last season. That should make them a far more competitive team.

Los Angeles Sparks

The Los Angeles Sparks head into 2026 under real pressure after missing the playoffs for a fifth straight season, but there’s finally reason for optimism. After finishing with the league’s fourth-worst record last year, the Sparks have gone all-in on veteran experience and now look like one of the more interesting sleeper teams.

The biggest storyline is the return of Nneka Ogwumike. Back with the franchise where she won MVP, Ogwumike arrives after averaging 18.3 points and 7.5 rebounds last season in Seattle. Her addition, alongside Ariel Atkins, instantly raises the team’s ceiling and adds much-needed leadership to a roster built to win now.

The offense should be led again by Kelsey Plum, who was outstanding in her first season in LA, averaging 19.5 points and 5.7 assists while carrying a huge workload. If she adapts smoothly to a more traditional point-guard role while maintaining her scoring aggression, she could emerge as a genuine MVP candidate. 

Minnesota Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx enter 2026 with plenty to prove after last season’s dominant regular season ended in playoff disappointment. Oh, and they lost in the Commissioner's Cup final to underdogs Fever. Minnesota finished with a league-best 34-10 record - tied for the most wins in WNBA history - but crashed out in the semifinals to the Phoenix Mercury after blowing a 20-point lead in Game 2 and losing star forward Napheesa Collier to injury. 

That injury now shapes much of their early-season outlook. Collier, who finished second in MVP voting, is sidelined until at least the ending of June following ankle surgery. For bettors, that makes Minnesota a team to approach carefully in early fixtures, particularly against top-tier opponents. We expect them to struggle early but peak late in the season when Phee is back healthy. Remember the Aces struggled in the first half of last season and ended up winning the title after a second half resurgence. That might be the plan here. 

The Lynx lost key contributors in free agency, including Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, but their biggest strength remains the leadership of legendary coach Cheryl Reeve. Entering her 17th season, Reeve’s track record suggests Minnesota will remain competitive despite roster turnover and Phee’s injury.

Chicago Sky 

The Sky are in full reset mode after a chaotic 10–34 season that saw coaching changes, injuries, and ultimately a major roster overhaul. The biggest headline came in April when the franchise moved on from Angel Reese, signalling a clear shift in direction after another year of missing the playoffs.

Despite the turmoil, this new-look Sky roster looks…good. The offseason brought in proven veterans like Skylar Diggins and Natasha Cloud, giving Chicago two elite playmakers known for defense and ball distribution. Both average over five assists in their careers, which should immediately improve a team that ranked last in scoring (75.8 PPG) last season.

Defensively and structurally, this group also looks deeper. DiJonai Carrington adds perimeter toughness, while young forwards Kamilla Cardoso and Rickea Jackson are expected to form the core of the frontcourt. 

MVP Favourites 

Napheesa Collier has been right in the MVP conversation for the last two seasons, finishing second to A’ja Wilson both times. But with her missing the first couple of months this season, she might have to wait another year to get her hands on this award. In her absence, here are the top three favourites for the award.

A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)

A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces smiles while holding a basketball trophy during an on-court presentation.

There’s almost nothing left to say here about this lady who constantly dominates basketball games with ease. A’ja Wilson has won four MVPs in the last six years and led the Aces to three championships in the last four seasons. And she’s only 29. At this point, she’s not just the best in the league, she’s arguably the greatest female basketball player of all time. As long as she’s playing at this level, she’s going to be in MVP talks every single year, at least for the next few seasons.

Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)

Without a doubt the most electrifying and entertaining women’s basketball player on the planet, Caitlin Clark comes into this season with something to prove. Her rookie year was special - she won Rookie of the Year, finished 4th in MVP voting, broke the league record for most assists in a game (19), and helped the Fever snap a 10-year playoff drought. Sadly, she hasn’t had the chance to build on that. Her second season was disrupted by injury, limiting her to just 13 games, although she still played well enough to earn a starting spot in the All-Star Game. Now fully fit, she returns to a Fever team that got within one win of the Finals without her. She also picked up MVP at the 2026 FIBA WWC Qualifiers despite limited minutes, which says a lot about her form right now.

Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix Mercury)

The Mercury might not be tipped for much this season, especially after losing Satou Sabally, but Alyssa Thomas remains one of the league’s most reliable stars. At 34, she’s somehow getting better with age, making the All-WNBA First Team in each of her last three seasons. She also holds the league record for triple-doubles with 19 (no one else has more than four). Like Collier, she’s been close to MVP before, and if anyone is going to stop A’ja Wilson’s dominance, Thomas is one of the most realistic contenders to do it.


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