The expansion franchise reported eclipsing 1,000 initial payments in the first hour after the launch and more than 2,500 deposits over the first 24 hours.
CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s reentry to the WNBA was officially confirmed just under a month ago, and fans are already lining up to secure their seats when the team tips off.
The Dan Gilbert-owned expansion franchise, which will play its inaugural season at Rocket Arena in 2028, announced Thursday that it has surpassed 5,000 initial payments for season ticket memberships. The milestone came 24 days after Cleveland was announced as the WNBA’s 16th market on June 30.
Roughly half of those initial season ticket deposits came in the first 24 hours after the expansion announcement. Gilbert’s Rock Entertainment Group reported eclipsing 1,000 initial payments in the first hour after the launch and more than 2,500 deposits over the first 24 hours.
“Clevelanders are showing the world what we have known for a long time – the passion this city and its fans hold for their sports teams is unrivaled,” said Nic Barlage, CEO of REG and the Cleveland Cavaliers. “We are preparing to establish a standard for how women’s sports teams are championed, and our commitment is to reflect that same determination as we build a franchise and culture that’s distinctly Cleveland and Ohio. This will empower future generations, create lasting connections, and deliver impact far beyond the court.”
In setting these benchmarks this early, the fan excitement around Cleveland is pacing well in comparison to other recent expansion franchises. The Golden State Valkyries, who boasted record-setting ticket deposit sales ahead of their inaugural season this summer, took about six months to reach 6,000 payments. Cleveland got over 80% of the way to that figure in under a month.
The Portland Fire, which announced Thursday it had surpassed 12,500 season ticket deposits, was awarded its franchise Sept. 18, 2024. While Portland outpaced Cleveland to 5,000, hitting the milestone in just two weeks, it’s worth noting that the Fire were selling only two years ahead of time, for a team that joins the league in 2026. Cleveland fans won’t see a full return on their investment until about three years from now.
What we know about Cleveland’s WNBA team so far
What will the team be called?
Despite any obvious links to the past, Rock Entertainment Group has yet to announce details about the future team’s name, branding or logos. However, there’s already been much chatter among fans about whether the franchise will retain the name of Cleveland’s previous WNBA team, the Rockers. The Gordon Gund-owned Rockers joined the league as one of its original franchises in 1997 and folded in 2003.
While Barlage and Gilbert have been tight-lipped, some reporting has indicated the group is at least considering a return to the Rockers. According to The Next, the U.S. Trademark Office is currently processing the WNBA’s trademark application for the name.
According to BetOhio, “Rockers” is the betting favorite among potential team names.
Another entity attempting to use the Cleveland Rockers name is the upstart Women’s Basketball League, which is set to begin its first season in August. Following the WNBA announcement, the WBL reiterated its intentions to field two teams with former WNBA monikers: the Rockers and the Detroit Shock.
When will the team start?
Cleveland’s WNBA team will begin its inaugural season in 2028, according to the WNBA, followed by fellow expansion franchises Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030.
🚨HISTORIC MOMENT ALERT🚨
The W is leveling UP — three new teams, three new cities, one unstoppable future. ⭐
Say hello to our newest expansion teams:
🟣 @clevelandwnba – coming 2028
🔵 @DetroitWNBA – coming 2029
🔴 @philawnba – coming 2030
New energy. New legacies. New era.… pic.twitter.com/6ZXaHPxkEw
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 30, 2025
Where will the team play and practice?
Cleveland WNBA will share a venue with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, playing its home games at Rocket Arena. The WNBA team will also take over the Cavaliers’ current practice facility, making Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence their own once the Cavs move into their own new facility downtown along the Cuyahoga River.
How can fans get season tickets?
Cleveland WNBA is charging $28 each for general admission initial payments in honor of its 2028 inaugural year. REG says the payments place fans on a priority list for seat selection closer to the first season, with seat selection access determined in order of how early each customer paid the deposit.
Initial payments can be made HERE.
For a limited time, fans who place two initial payments will receive a New Era-branded black corduroy hat with a “WNBA CLE” logo and an Inaugural Season ’28 patch.