Unrivaled sets professional women's basketball attendance record in 3-on-3 league's Philadelphia debut

Natasha Cloud, Kelsey Plum, and Marina Mabrey lead Unrivaled to record-breaking crowds in first tour stop outside Florida bubble.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:31am

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Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league, made its first tour stop outside of its Florida bubble, playing two games in Philadelphia on Friday night. The event set a new professional women's basketball regular-season attendance record of 21,490, surpassing the previous mark of 20,711 set in the WNBA in 2024. Natasha Cloud, Kelsey Plum, and Marina Mabrey were among the standout players who thrilled the packed crowd at the Wells Fargo Center, home of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.

Why it matters

Unrivaled's debut in Philadelphia represents a significant milestone for women's professional basketball in the city, which has not hosted a pro women's game since 1998. The record-breaking crowd and enthusiasm from the fans suggest strong demand for women's sports in Philadelphia, paving the way for the city's planned WNBA expansion team set to join the league in the coming years.

The details

Natasha Cloud, a Philadelphia native and current New York Liberty player, was introduced to a roaring ovation from the record crowd, which included celebrities like Robin Roberts, Kyle Lowry, and Leslie Jones. Kelsey Plum scored 22 points to lead the Phantom BC to a 71-68 win over the Breeze in the first game. In the second game, Marina Mabrey set an Unrivaled single-game scoring record with 47 points to lead the Lunar Owls to an 85-75 victory over Kahleah Copper and the league champion Rose.

  • The previous professional women's basketball regular-season attendance record of 20,711 was set in the WNBA on September 19, 2024.
  • Unrivaled's doubleheader in Philadelphia took place on Friday, January 31, 2026.

The players

Natasha Cloud

A former WNBA champion and current New York Liberty standout, who is from the Philadelphia area and grew up rooting for the 76ers.

Kelsey Plum

A player for the Phantom BC team in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, who scored 22 points in the first game to lead her team to a 71-68 win.

Marina Mabrey

A player for the Lunar Owls team in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, who set a single-game scoring record with 47 points in the second game.

Kahleah Copper

A player for the league champion Rose team in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, who is a Philadelphia native and the 2021 WNBA Finals MVP for the Chicago Sky.

Breanna Stewart

The co-founder of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, along with Napheesa Collier.

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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 (Chicago Tribune)

“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 (Chicago Tribune)

“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 (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

Unrivaled CEO Alex Bazzell suggested more touring dates could be ahead for the league, as it looks to expand its reach and fanbase beyond its Florida bubble.

The takeaway

Unrivaled's record-breaking debut in Philadelphia demonstrates the strong demand and enthusiasm for women's professional basketball in the city, paving the way for the planned arrival of a WNBA expansion team in the coming years. The success of this tour stop could lead to more Unrivaled events in other cities, further growing the league and the visibility of women's sports.