The 2026 WNBA season kicked off this week, in the newly expanded 15-team league. The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire joined the fray this season, part of the league’s plan to increase to 18 teams by the 2030 season. Toronto and Portland face tough climbs up the WNBA standings with their expansion draft rosters. Still, the Tempo are faring better than the Fire on the Championship futures board.
We’re perusing all of the betting odds, seeing where the money is flowing as we embark on another exciting WNBA season!
Top Contenders
Indiana Fever
Led by Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever are perennial contenders for the WNBA Championship; however, the betting market has moved away from the Fever early in 2026. After opening as +375 contenders, the second-shortest odds on the board, Indiana has fallen to +425 last week and then +500 this week.
This line movement defies conventional betting standards, as the Fever lead in terms of ticket count (26.5%) and handle (33.6%). Moreover, that split signifies that BetMGM has taken more large-money wagers on Indiana, indicating a sharp-backed position on one of the top teams in the league. The reverse line move could be the sportsbook trying to attract more money on the Fever, limiting their exposure on underdogs further down the board.
New York Liberty
They may only be three games into their season, but the New York Liberty have emerged as the odds-on favorite to claim this year’s banner. New York is off to a 2-1 start to the season, validating their jump up the futures board.
The Liberty are two years removed from their championship win, and are looking to make their third WNBA Finals in four years. Coming off last year’s disappointing first-round exit, the Liberty are generating plenty of betting buzz, opening as +450 contenders before jumping to a league-best +200.
Still, caution is warranted with this squad. New York has become a staple of public betting, earning a 8.4% handle on 8.6% of the tickets. Don’t get caught up in the hoopla, we have reservations about the Liberty’s chances this season.
Las Vegas Aces
It’s been a hell of a run for the Las Vegas Aces. The Becky Hammon-coached team has claimed three of the last four WNBA Championships, and has looked unstoppable in the playoffs. Not surprisingly, the Aces are positioned near the front of the pack again in 2026, backed by some of the sharpest minds in the business.
As it stands, Las Vegas is collecting the third-highest handle (14.0%) and the second-highest ticket count (11.7%). Like the Fever, BetMGM has moved Las Vegas in the opposite direction. The Aces opened as the favorites on the championship futures board, moving them to +375 as we enter the second week of action.
Becky Hammon has a proven track record of extracting maximum value from her roster, particularly in the postseason. Don’t be fooled by the reverse line movement, the Aces are legit contenders.
Dallas Wings – Top Betting Value
The sharpest bettors will always seek out value on the lower-end of the futures board. They’ve clearly aligned on the Dallas Wings as the longshot worth backing ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.
Dallas opened at a distant +5000 to win this year’s championship, a distant position relative to its current odds. After a brief interlude at +3000, the Wings are currently priced at +2000. Predictably, that movement correlates with a plethora of betting action, with the Wings collecting the second-highest handle in the league at 17.4%. Relative to their 7.0% ticket count, it’s clear that the Wings are the live underdog in this year’s championship race.
The Wings’ championship aspirations lie on Paige Bueckers’ capable shoulders. The second-year pro showed incredible poise in her rookie season, averaging 19.2 points per game on 47.7% shooting, with a tidy 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. If she takes the next step in her development, there will be no denying the Wings a shot at this year’s title.
Expansion Considerations
Expansion teams are never expected to deliver in their inaugural campaigns. It takes time to build teams and culture, putting them at an immediate disadvantage at the outset of the season. However, the Toronto Tempo are trying to be the exception to the rule.
Bettors are taking the Tempo seriously. Toronto has garnered a respectable 4.8% ticket count and 2.4% handle, putting it ahead of some of the other more established teams in the league. BetMGM responded appropriately, moving the expansion franchise to +12500 before dropping them back to +20000 this week.
Toronto earned its inaugural victory on Wednesday night, one of many that are expected throughout the 2026 WNBA season. It would take a mighty effort to ascend the WNBA mountain in their first season, but many bettors are willing to take their shot with the Tempo.
New to sports betting? First, explore our Introduction to Sports Betting. Then check out our recommendations at Flip The Switch for online sportsbooks, along with offers to get started. And if you’re not an avid sports fan, you can still find some fun and unusual bets to enjoy!
