With WNBA attendance expected to soar this summer as record-setting young stars like Caitlin Clark enter the league, teams including the Washington Mystics are eyeing some games in larger arenas.
The Mystics play in the 4,200-seat Entertainment and Sports Arena, the second-smallest venue in the WNBA. After Monday’s WNBA draft, in which Washington took Connecticut forward Aaliyah Edwards with the sixth overall pick, Mystics executives say they’re seeing a surge in fan interest.
“Demand this season has really been unprecedented,” Alycen McAuley, the team’s chief business officer told WTOP. “The interest, especially after Monday night’s draft has really been extraordinary. I think we’re seeing double-digit interest increases for us right now.”
Some WNBA teams have already started preparing for the “Caitlin Clark Effect.”
The reigning champion Las Vegas Aces moved their first home game against Clark and the Indiana Fever to the 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena, which can host 8,000 more fans than their usual home — Michelob ULTRA Arena.
“We’re working with the league and our partners to explore that possibility right now, because we’d really like to allow as many fans as possible to enjoy the game,” McAuley said. “It’s not just that Fever game. I think we’re seeing that demand for some of our other games this season.”
According to McCauley, the Mystics set a record for sellouts in 2023 and are slated to set attendance records again in 2024.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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