Cleveland WNBA Team Launches with Vibrant New Brand

The new professional women's basketball team embraces local pride and community spirit.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:35am

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The city of Cleveland has officially launched its new WNBA franchise, unveiling a bold and colorful brand identity that celebrates the city's Midwest roots and passion for sports. The team's name, colors, and logo were revealed on April Fools' Day, generating excitement and some playful reactions from Ohio residents.

Why it matters

The addition of a WNBA team represents a major milestone for Cleveland, which has long been overshadowed by the success of its men's professional sports franchises. The new team's emphasis on community engagement and inclusive values aligns with the league's mission to elevate women's athletics and inspire the next generation of athletes.

The details

The Cleveland WNBA team will play its home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, sharing the arena with the NBA's Cavaliers. The team's name, colors, and logo were designed to capture the city's Midwest spirit and sports heritage. The vibrant yellow and blue palette, along with the stylized 'C' logo, evoke the city's iconic bridges and skyline.

  • The Cleveland WNBA team was officially announced on April 1, 2026.
  • The team will begin play in the 2026-27 WNBA season.

The players

Cleveland WNBA

The new professional women's basketball team representing the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

The home arena for the Cleveland WNBA team, which they will share with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to bring WNBA basketball to Cleveland and give our passionate sports fans another team to rally behind. This is a historic moment for our city, and we can't wait to see the impact this team will have on our community.”

— Koby Altman, Cleveland WNBA President

What’s next

The Cleveland WNBA team will hold open tryouts and begin building its inaugural roster in the coming months, with the goal of fielding a competitive team for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The launch of the Cleveland WNBA team represents a significant step forward for women's sports in the Midwest, providing a new platform for talented female athletes to showcase their skills and inspire the next generation of sports fans and players.