This year’s schedule is 44 games, up from 40. The WNBA has expanded to 13 teams with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries.
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Indiana Fever games moved to larger arenas in 2025
May 22 : at Atlanta Dream, moved from Gateway Center Arena (3,500 capacity) to State Farm Arena (19,050).
May 28 and Sept. 7 : at Washington Mystics, moved from CareFirst Arena (4,200) to CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore (13,300).
June 7 and July 27 : at Chicago Sky, from Wintrust Arena (10,387) to United Center (20,000).
Caitlin Clark, the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and a rising star in professional basketball, has significantly impacted the sport and the basketball community, both on and off the court. While her prowess at Iowa University has been widely documented, it’s essential to recognize how her influence has extended beyond college basketball into the professional realm, particularly with the Indiana Fever and their decision to relocate away games to bigger arenas in 2025. This shift in the Fever’s game-day strategy is not solely a reflection of Clark’s talents but also a broader trend in the women’s game, wherein the increase in viewership, fan engagement, and the growing prominence of athletes like Clark is reshaping the business and logistics of professional women’s sports.
Caitlin Clark’s Impact on Women’s Basketball
Caitlin Clark’s journey to becoming one of the brightest stars in women’s basketball is not just a testament to her exceptional skill on the court but also to her larger-than-life personality and leadership. Clark’s ability to dominate games, with her scoring capabilities, especially her three-point shooting range, has elevated her as a beacon of hope for fans of women’s basketball. She led the University of Iowa to significant success, including national championships and numerous individual awards. But beyond statistics and accolades, Clark became a figure who transcended traditional college basketball norms.
Her style of play—fast-paced, perimeter-oriented, and high-scoring—has drawn in younger audiences who may not have previously followed women’s sports. By consistently performing at the highest levels, Caitlin Clark helped elevate the status of women’s basketball, making it a more mainstream fixture in the sports world. Her influence is undeniable, and as women’s sports continue to gain momentum, Clark’s role as a face of the game only intensifies.
The Growth of Women’s Basketball and the Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever, a staple of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), has historically been one of the league’s more prominent teams, known for fostering talent and developing players. As women’s basketball gains more recognition globally, the league has seen growing attention both from fans and corporations. The Fever, in particular, have been an integral part of the sport’s growth in the Midwest. However, even with its loyal fan base, there has been a concerted effort by the franchise to boost its national presence. This goal was further propelled by the increasing influence of stars like Caitlin Clark, whose success in collegiate basketball only helped bring more eyes to the WNBA.
The Fever, led by a combination of young talent and experienced veterans, have set their sights on improving their marketing strategies, fan engagement, and overall game experience. With players like Clark being viewed as the face of women’s basketball, the Fever realized that expanding their reach—both in terms of the arenas they play in and the visibility they have as a franchise—was crucial to their success.
Relocating Away Games to Bigger Arenas in 2025
One of the biggest changes for the Indiana Fever in 2025 was the decision to relocate away games to larger arenas. This decision wasn’t made overnight, nor was it solely based on the influence of Caitlin Clark. The Fever were responding to a broader trend within the WNBA and women’s sports. As the popularity of women’s basketball skyrocketed, particularly in response to figures like Clark, teams were under increased pressure to accommodate growing fan interest and create a more significant spectacle around their games.
1. Responding to Increased Demand
The surge in popularity of Caitlin Clark and other top-tier players has driven up the demand for live games, both at home and on the road. As more fans tune in to watch these stars play, particularly during highly anticipated matchups, venues often sell out, creating a sense of excitement and scarcity. With the Fever’s schedule of away games in the WNBA, they recognized that their current venues were not always equipped to host the influx of fans who wanted to experience the game live.
In 2025, the Fever made the decision to partner with larger arenas in cities where their away games had traditionally been played in smaller venues. The logic behind this was to create a bigger atmosphere, allowing for greater attendance and providing more opportunities for fans to witness the spectacle of high-level women’s basketball. These larger venues, often home to NBA teams or other major sports events, were better suited to accommodate crowds and allow for a more immersive game-day experience.
This change also reflected the evolving relationship between women’s basketball and major sports markets. As more top-tier players like Caitlin Clark capture the public’s imagination, they’re attracting fans from diverse demographics, requiring a shift in how games are presented and experienced. For the Fever, this move was not just about better accommodating fans; it was about sending a message that women’s basketball, particularly the games featuring stars like Clark, was deserving of a larger platform.
2. Raising the Profile of the WNBA and Women’s Basketball
By playing in larger venues, the Fever aimed to showcase the caliber of women’s basketball and demonstrate that the WNBA’s stars, like Clark, deserved the same treatment and recognition as their male counterparts. This decision was part of a broader strategy within the league to elevate women’s basketball and position it as a more prominent fixture in the sporting world.
The relocation of these away games was also meant to tap into larger markets. Historically, women’s basketball has faced challenges in terms of media coverage, fan engagement, and sponsorships. By hosting games in larger arenas, the Fever hoped to reach a wider audience, exposing new fans to the talent and excitement that stars like Clark bring to the court. The visual appeal of packed arenas, with excited fans chanting and supporting their teams, creates an electric atmosphere that is contagious. In turn, this encourages more people to watch and support the game.
3. Promoting Sponsorship and Revenue Growth
The increase in fan attendance and television viewership tied to Caitlin Clark’s influence presented the Indiana Fever with new opportunities for revenue growth. Larger venues mean higher ticket sales, and higher ticket sales translate to increased revenue for the franchise. Additionally, hosting games in bigger arenas can attract new sponsorship deals and partnerships, especially from companies looking to target the growing female sports audience.
These moves also reflect a larger shift in the perception of women’s sports as a viable business venture. When Clark’s national profile expanded, she brought increased visibility not just to her own career, but to the WNBA as a whole. By moving games into larger, more commercially lucrative arenas, the Fever were positioning themselves to take advantage of this growth and solidify their standing in the professional sports world.
4. Creating More Opportunities for Fans
Caitlin Clark’s rise to prominence brought not only new fans to the game but also a renewed sense of optimism about the future of women’s basketball. As a player, she became a figure that young girls and boys alike could look up to. For the Fever, relocating their games allowed for more opportunities for fans to see these rising stars live. Larger arenas meant more seating, more room for fan interactions, and an overall more memorable experience. For fans in cities that were previously underserved, this move also meant that they could finally experience the thrill of seeing their favorite WNBA players, including Clark, in action.
Moreover, the Fever’s decision to move games to larger venues reflected an understanding of the role of fan culture in sports. Basketball fans—especially those who follow women’s basketball—are often deeply passionate about the sport, and they want to feel part of something larger. By increasing the capacity of their away games, the Fever sought to enhance that feeling of community and excitement, elevating the fan experience beyond the action on the court.
The Broader Implications for Women’s Sports
The Indiana Fever’s decision to relocate away games to larger arenas in 2025 was not an isolated move. It was part of a broader strategy seen across women’s sports to harness growing interest, capitalize on rising stars, and secure the future of the game. Athletes like Caitlin Clark have become ambassadors for the sport, and the venues in which these games are held need to reflect their stature.
This move also has long-term implications for the professionalization of women’s sports. As women’s sports continue to grow in popularity, this trend of larger venues, better exposure, and more financial opportunities will likely continue. The Fever, along with other WNBA teams, have made it clear that they see the potential of the women’s game, and they are positioning themselves to be at the forefront of this movement.
