The WNBA may not always be able to compete with the NBA but the 2026 All-Star Game has produced an unexpected statistic.
The WNBA has exploded in popularity in the last few seasons, even though it remains quite small compared to the massive scale of the NBA.
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The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game drew a lot of eyes, which isn’t surprising. Watching Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson take on the likes of Paige Bueckers and Natasha Howard is exciting.
The game itself was a tight affair, with Team Spoon beating Team Coop 129-122. However, a more significant number went viral on social media afterward.
Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game had higher attendance than its NBA equivalent
Taking place in Chicago, the All-Star Game set an all-time attendance record for the WNBA. 19,783 fans filled the United Center, which is an NBA arena.
This is significant because that means the W had more fans in the arena for their showcase event than their male counterparts managed in 2026. This is the first time that’s ever happened.
The NBA’s All-Star Game in 2026 was held at the Intuit Dome in California, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. But the crowd was noticeably smaller than what the WNBA managed to draw.
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This is a good sign for the league as they continue to navigate perhaps the most important era in the history of the women’s game.
The WNBA All-Star Game had some stellar performances
With so many eyes on the game, quite a few stars balled out. Clark had 17 points and five assists for Team Spoon, but Jonquel Jones won MVP with her 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Even though Team Coop lost, Kelsey Mitchell was the highest scorer on the night with 28 points to her name. Bueckers managed to add 12 points and seven assists as well.
The Seattle Storm‘s Dominique Malonga also made history, recording the All-Star Game’s first dunk since 2022, another iconic moment from a successful event.
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The WNBA continues to grow at a rapid rate, and the 2026 All-Star Weekend was another step in the right direction for the league.
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