Unrivaled expands women's 3-on-3 league to Philadelphia as city breaks through as a hotbed of hoops

The 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league Unrivaled hits the road for the first time, staging two games in Philadelphia to a sold-out crowd of 20,000 fans.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:23pm

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Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league, expanded to Philadelphia for the first time, staging two games in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,000 fans. The league, co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is looking to grow its fanbase by taking the product on the road after operating in a Florida bubble in its inaugural season. Philadelphia native Natasha Cloud and Chicago Sky's Kahleah Copper were among the marquee players featured in the doubleheader, which marked the return of women's pro basketball to the city for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Why it matters

Philadelphia has a rich basketball history, but the city has lacked a consistent women's professional team since the American Basketball League's Philadelphia Rage folded in 1998. Unrivaled's debut in Philadelphia represents a significant step in the city emerging as a hotbed for women's hoops, paving the way for a potential WNBA expansion team in the future.

The details

Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league, staged its first games outside of its Florida bubble, bringing the league to Philadelphia for a doubleheader. The Phantom, led by Natasha Cloud, took on the Breeze in the first game, while Kahleah Copper's Rose squad faced the Lunar Owls in the second contest. The games were played in front of a sold-out crowd of an expected 20,000 fans, marking the return of women's pro basketball to Philadelphia for the first time since 1998.

  • Unrivaled hit the road for the first time in its brief history, breaking free of its Florida bubble to expand its reach and stage two games on Friday night in Philadelphia.
  • The last time women's professional basketball was played in Philadelphia was in 1998 when the Philadelphia Rage played in the now-defunct American Basketball League.

The players

Natasha Cloud

A former WNBA champion and current New York Liberty standout, who is from the Philadelphia area and played for the Phantom BC team in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league.

Kahleah Copper

The 2021 WNBA NBA Finals MVP for the Chicago Sky, who is from Philadelphia and played a key role in promoting the Unrivaled games in her hometown.

Breanna Stewart

The co-founder of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league, along with Napheesa Collier.

Napheesa Collier

The co-founder of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league, along with Breanna Stewart.

Cameron Brink

A forward for the Breeze team in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, who recently recovered from a torn ACL injury.

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What they’re saying

“Man, like how crazy it is that I'm standing here about to play for the first time professionally in my home city.”

— Natasha Cloud (wbal.com)

“I think the city is ready for women's professional sports. I'm excited that, one, that it's here, and two, that I'm a part of it.”

— Kahleah Copper (wbal.com)

“To see the turnout, to see the sold-out arena, to just see the love that they have for women's sports, it means a lot for the future too in terms of getting a WNBA team. It's really cool just for the game to continue to expand and for us to see that turnaround and for us to see that support everywhere we go.”

— Paige Bueckers (wbal.com)

What’s next

Philadelphia is planning on a new arena that will be completed hopefully by 2030 and will serve as the new home for the WNBA team set to join the league.

The takeaway

Unrivaled's debut in Philadelphia represents a significant milestone in the city's efforts to establish itself as a hotbed for women's basketball. The sold-out crowd and enthusiastic reception from fans suggest that Philadelphia is primed and ready to support a WNBA franchise, which could be a game-changer for the growth of the women's game in the region.