WNBA · Eastern Conference · Est. 1997 · Barclays Center
Updated March 16, 2026
The New York Liberty enter 2026 as reigning WNBA champions after winning their first title in franchise history in 2024. Led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty are the hunted rather than the hunters for the first time. Repeating is the hardest thing to do in professional sports, and every opponent will bring their best against the champs.
Breanna Stewart delivered a championship to New York and solidified her case as one of the greatest players in WNBA history. With multiple MVPs, Finals MVPs, and now a title in the nation's biggest market, Stewart's legacy is secure. But she's not done — the 31-year-old is playing some of the best basketball of her career.
The Liberty's title run turned Barclays Center into the epicenter of women's basketball. Sellout crowds, celebrity courtside presence, and a national TV showcase have made Liberty home games must-see events. New York's success has been a rising tide for the entire league, proving that a major-market champion can move the needle like nothing else.