It is, once again, time for Unrivaled.
There is no offseason for women’s professional basketball, and the elite three-on-three league is already underway in Florida.
The first season was an inarguable success with the six-team league bringing in $30 million in revenue, according to ESPN. This year, two new teams joined the fold in Breeze BC, led by reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, and Hive BC, led by Kelsey Mitchell.
With the WNBA possibly headed for a work stoppage, there’s no guarantee that fans will get to see their favorite players on the court in a five-on-five capacity any time soon. And with Unrivaled offering six-figure salaries to all its players, the stakes have literally never been higher.
The fast-paced play and elite talent condensed onto small rosters make Unrivaled must-see TV for basketball fans. With the 2026 season already underway, keep scrolling for everything to know about Unrivaled.
What Is the Format of the 2026 Unrivaled Season?
Naz Hillmon and Rhyne Howard Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Unrivaled consists of eight teams made up of six players each. There is also a six-player development pool that will train and scrimmage on-site and be available to join a roster should an injury occur.
The eight teams will each play a 14-game regular season, allowing for a double-round-robin. The playoffs will begin on February 28 with the champion being crowned on March 4.
Is Caitlin Clark Playing in Unrivaled?
No, Caitlin Clark is not playing Unrivaled — this year. Unrivaled reportedly made a massive offer to the Indiana Fever guard that included a seven-figure payday and equity in the league, but Clark is coming off an injury-plagued WNBA season and is using the winter months to recover.
How Much Money Do Unrivaled Athletes Make?
The league’s minimum salary is $100,000 for the two-month-long season, while the average player will make around $220,000. The maximum salary is $350,000, and many players are also acquiring equity in the league.
By contrast, the minimum rookie salary in the WNBA in 2025 was $66,079 and the maximum was $214,466.
Additionally, every player on the championship-winning Unrivaled team will earn a $100,000 bonus, and there is a one-on-one tournament with a grand prize of $200,000. The winning player’s regular Unrivaled teammates will also receive a $10,000 bonus.
Who Are the Players to Watch in Unrivaled?
Kelsey Plum Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Even without Clark, the 2026 Unrivaled season features some of the most popular players in the WNBA, beginning with Bueckers. She was a part of Unrivaled before she even joined the pros, signing an endorsement deal with the league while she was playing for UConn.
League co-founder Napheesa Collier is not playing as she recovers from ankle surgery, but the other co-founder, Breanna Stewart, is suiting up for Mist BC.
Other notable players participating in Unrivaled include Jackie Young (Laces BC), Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson and Dominique Malonga (Breeze BC), Kahleah Copper (Rose BC), Allisha Gray and Arike Ogunbowale (Mist FC), Brittney Griner and Rhyne Howard (Vinyl BC), Skylar Diggins (Lunar Owls), and Natasha Cloud, Kiki Iriafen and Kelsey Plum (Phantom BC).
Who Won the League’s First Season?
Rose BC won the inaugural Unrivaled season behind Finals MVP Chelsea Gray. The club returns with four of its six players from last season, adding Sug Sutton and Shakira Austin.
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