Last Updated on October 4, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The WNBA began play in 1997 after the NBA Board of Governors approved the league concept in April 1996. The league’s inaugural season featured eight teams, and the Houston Comets defeated the New York Liberty in the first championship game.
The WNBA, founded in 1996 and beginning play in 1997, has grown into the premier professional women’s basketball league in the world, showcasing generations of legendary players, championship teams, and historic rivalries across nearly three decades.
Here is a complete table of WNBA Champions and Runners-up from 1997 to 2025, including the year, champion, runner-up, and series result. The year links lead to the corresponding WNBA standings page on HeatingUp.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Series Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Houston Comets | New York Liberty | 1–0 |
| 1998 | Houston Comets | Phoenix Mercury | 2–1 |
| 1999 | Houston Comets | New York Liberty | 2–1 |
| 2000 | Houston Comets | New York Liberty | 2–0 |
| 2001 | Los Angeles Sparks | Charlotte Sting | 2–0 |
| 2002 | Los Angeles Sparks | New York Liberty | 2–0 |
| 2003 | Detroit Shock | Los Angeles Sparks | 2–1 |
| 2004 | Seattle Storm | Connecticut Sun | 2–1 |
| 2005 | Sacramento Monarchs | Connecticut Sun | 3–1 |
| 2006 | Detroit Shock | Sacramento Monarchs | 3–2 |
| 2007 | Phoenix Mercury | Detroit Shock | 3–2 |
| 2008 | Detroit Shock | San Antonio Silver Stars | 3–0 |
| 2009 | Phoenix Mercury | Indiana Fever | 3–2 |
| 2010 | Seattle Storm | Atlanta Dream | 3–0 |
| 2011 | Minnesota Lynx | Atlanta Dream | 3–0 |
| 2012 | Indiana Fever | Minnesota Lynx | 3–1 |
| 2013 | Minnesota Lynx | Atlanta Dream | 3–0 |
| 2014 | Phoenix Mercury | Chicago Sky | 3–0 |
| 2015 | Minnesota Lynx | Indiana Fever | 3–2 |
| 2016 | Los Angeles Sparks | Minnesota Lynx | 3–2 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Lynx | Los Angeles Sparks | 3–2 |
| 2018 | Seattle Storm | Washington Mystics | 3–0 |
| 2019 | Washington Mystics | Connecticut Sun | 3–2 |
| 2020 | Seattle Storm | Las Vegas Aces | 3–0 |
| 2021 | Chicago Sky | Phoenix Mercury | 3–1 |
| 2022 | Las Vegas Aces | Connecticut Sun | 3–1 |
| 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | New York Liberty | 3–1 |
| 2024 | New York Liberty | Minnesota Lynx | 3–2 |
| 2025 | Las Vegas Aces | Phoenix Mercury | 4–0 |
The WNBA championship format has changed considerably over the league’s history. The 1997 season was decided by a single championship game. The Finals became a best-of-three series in 1998 and remained that way through 2004, before changing to a best-of-five format in 2005. Beginning in 2025, the WNBA Finals moved to a best-of-seven format.
The Houston Comets established the league’s first dynasty, winning the first four WNBA championships from 1997 through 2000. The Comets remain one of three franchises with four championships, alongside the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm.
The Seattle Storm won championships in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020, while the Minnesota Lynx captured titles in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. The Las Vegas Aces joined the group after winning championships in 2022, 2023, and 2025.
The 2025 WNBA Finals marked another major change in league history. Las Vegas defeated Phoenix 4–0, becoming the first WNBA champion to win a Finals series under the new best-of-seven format. A’ja Wilson was named Finals MVP.
The WNBA’s historical record continues to expand with new franchises, players, statistical milestones, and championship contenders. HeatingUp’s WNBA archive provides season-by-season standings and historical information dating back to the league’s inaugural 1997 season.