UPSHOT League Will Bring Pro Basketball to Tampa
The professional women's basketball expansion team will begin its inaugural season at the USF Yuengling Center in May 2027.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Basketball
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The UPSHOT League has selected Tampa as the site for a new professional women's basketball franchise. The team will play its home games at the USF Yuengling Center starting in May 2027.
Why it matters
The league was created to address a significant lack of roster spots for talented women's basketball players. By expanding into Tampa, Baltimore, and Nashville, the organization aims to broaden opportunities for professional athletes.
Tampa has previously hosted the NCAA Women's Final Four four times and welcomed the Tampa Bay Sun FC in 2024. Six UPSHOT players earned WNBA developmental contracts during or after the 2026 season.
The players
UPSHOT League
This professional basketball organization was established to create more roster opportunities for talented women's players.
USF Yuengling Center
This multi-purpose arena located in Tampa will serve as the home venue for the new basketball franchise.
The details
The league is currently soliciting fan input for the team's identity through an online name submission campaign that launched on Tuesday. The selection of Tampa as a hub reflects the city's established track record of successfully hosting major women's sports events.
Timeline
Tuesday, October 6, 2026: The team launch and name submission campaign began.
December 1, 2026: The official team name and logo will be unveiled.
May 2027: The franchise will begin its inaugural season.
Season Trajectory
The entry of a new franchise expands the competitive footprint of the league following its inaugural four-team season that concluded in August 2026. This move increases the total number of roster spots available to players hoping to secure WNBA developmental contracts.
Fans in the area can currently participate in the team's development by submitting name ideas through the league's online portal. The launch provides a new local destination for professional sports starting with the 2027 season.
The takeaway
The league's expansion demonstrates the growing demand for professional pathways for women's basketball players. Tampa residents can now engage directly with the team-building process ahead of the 2027 tip-off.
What happens next
The league will announce the official team name and logo on December 1, 2026.
Further reading
Find more local coverage on the Basketball page.
More information
To contribute to the team identity, visit the official page to submit team name ideas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
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