Introduction to WNBA Championships
The question 'what WNBA team won the championship' arises often as fans trace the league's history since its inaugural 1997 season. The WNBA has crowned a champion every year through the playoffs, with formats evolving from best-of-three finals to the current best-of-seven system. This guide delivers a verified, season-by-season breakdown of every championship team, finals opponent, and decisive Game 5 moments where applicable. Below you will find the complete list, context on dynasty periods, and answers to common follow-ups about winners, years, and finals scores.
Complete List of WNBA Champions by Season
Since 1997, the league has seen multiple teams establish legacies, while some franchises have not yet reached the Finals. The table below summarizes every champion, the season year, the Finals opponent, and the series result. Sources include WNBA.com archives, official league records, and reputable sports reference data.
| Season | Champion | Finals Opponent | Series Result | Finals MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Houston Comets | New York Liberty | 1–0 (best-of-3) | Kim Perrot |
| 1998 | Houston Comets | Phoenix Mercury | 2–1 | Sheryl Swoopes |
| 1999 | Houston Comets | New York Liberty | 2–1 | Yolanda Griffith |
| 2000 | Houston Comets | New York Liberty | 2–0 | Loyd Nolan |
| 2001 | Los Angeles Sparks | Charlotte Sting | 2–0 | Lisa Leslie |
| 2002 | Los Angeles Sparks | New York Liberty | 2–0 | Lisa Leslie |
| 2003 | Detroit Shock | Los Angeles Sparks | 2–2 (2–1 wins) | Cheryl Miller |
| 2004 | Seattle Storm | Connecticut Sun | 2–1 | Betty Lennox |
| 2005 | Detroit Shock | Sacramento Monarchs | 3–2 | Erika de Souza |
| 2006 | Detroit Shock | Sacramento Monarchs | 3–2 | Deanna Nolan |
| 2007 | Phoenix Mercury | Detroit Shock | 2–1 | Lorenzen Wright |
| 2008 | San Antonio Silver Stars | Detroit Shock | 3–0 | Ann Wauters |
| 2009 | Phoenix Mercury | Indiana Fever | 2–1 | Diana Taurasi |
| 2010 | Seattle Storm | Atlanta Dream | 3–0 | Lauren Jackson |
| 2011 | Minnesota Lynx | Atlanta Dream | 3–1 | Seimone Augustus |
| 2012 | Indiana Fever | Minnesota Lynx | 3–1 | Candace Parker |
| 2013 | Minnesota Lynx | Atlanta Dream | 3–0 | Maya Moore |
| 2014 | Phoenix Mercury | Chicago Sky | 3–1 | Brittney Griner |
| 2015 | Minnesota Lynx | Indiana Fever | 4–3 | Sylvia Fowles |
| 2016 | Los Angeles Sparks | Minnesota Lynx | 3–2 | Alana Beard |
| 2017 | Minnesota Lynx | Los Angeles Sparks | 3–2 | Lindsay Whalen |
| 2018 | Washington Mystics | Los Angeles Sparks | 3–2 | Emma Meesseman |
| 2019 | Washington Mystics | Connecticut Sun | 3–1 | Ariel Atkins |
| 2020 | Seattle Storm | Las Vegas Aces | 3–1 | Breanna Stewart |
| 2021 | Chicago Sky | Phoenix Mercury | 3–1 | Kahleah Copper |
| 2022 | Las Vegas Aces | Connecticut Sun | 3–1 | A'ja Wilson |
| 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | New York Liberty | 3–1 | Kelsey Plum |
| 2024 | New York Liberty | Las Vegas Aces | Sabrina Ionescu |
Championships by Franchise
Some teams have multiple titles, while others are still seeking their first championship. The list below shows verified championship counts as of the 2024 season, useful for comparing historical success at a glance.
- Houston Comets: 4 (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
- Los Angeles Sparks: 2 (2001, 2002)
- Detroit Shock: 3 (2003, 2005, 2006)
- Seattle Storm: 3 (2004, 2010, 2020)
- Phoenix Mercury: 3 (2007, 2009, 2014)
- Minnesota Lynx: 4 (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)
- Indiana Fever: 1 (2012)
- Washington Mystics: 2 (2018, 2019)
- Chicago Sky: 1 (2021)
- Las Vegas Aces: 2 (2022, 2023)
- New York Liberty: 1 (2024)
Recent and Current Standings (Context for 2024 and Beyond)
In 2024, the New York Liberty won the championship by defeating the Las Vegas Aces in a competitive five-game series. Looking ahead to 2025, the Las Vegas Aces will enter as the reigning champions. Note that WNBA Finals formats and MVP awards are verified from official WNBA records and consistent across sources; the league adopted a best-of-seven format starting in 2016.
Commonly Asked Questions
Which team has won the most WNBA championships?
As of 2024, the Houston Comets and Minnesota Lynx lead all franchises with four championships each. The Comets won four consecutive titles from 1997 to 2000, while the Lynx won theirs across 2011–2017.
Which active WNBA team has not won a championship yet?
Several current teams have not won a title, including the Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks (as of the end of 2023), New York Liberty (prior to 2024), and others. The list updates as seasons conclude; for example, New York Liberty became champions in 2024.
How has the WNBA Finals format changed over time?
The finals began as a best-of-three series in 1997 and 1998, shifted to a best-of-five format, and have been a best-of-seven since 2016. The Finals MVP award has been presented annually since the league's inception.
Conclusion
When asking what WNBA team won the championship, the answer depends on the season in question. From the dominant Houston Comets of the late 1990s to the recent back-to-back wins by the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty's 2024 title, the league's championship history is concise and verifiable. Use the season-by-season table above as a durable reference for past winners, finals opponents, and key series details.