Cleveland’s WNBA Expansion Team Unveils the Cleveland Sirens

Cleveland’s incoming WNBA expansion franchise has a name: the Cleveland Sirens.

The team unveiled its official name and branding on Aug. 4, 2026, giving Cleveland’s newest professional sports franchise a public identity ahead of its planned debut in 2028. The Sirens are expected to become the WNBA’s 16th franchise.

The team will play at Rocket Arena, the downtown home of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The franchise is owned and operated by Rock Entertainment Group, which also operates the Cavaliers, connecting the new women’s basketball team to Cleveland’s existing professional basketball organization and arena.

A 13-month naming process

Team officials said the process of choosing the name lasted 13 months. It included thousands of fan surveys, focus groups and community conversations, according to Axios Cleveland.

That process gave fans and community members a role in shaping the franchise’s first major public-facing identity. The result is a name that directly identifies the team with Cleveland while giving it a distinct brand from the Cavaliers.

The unveiling marks an early but significant step for a franchise that will not begin competition immediately. Cleveland now has a team name and branding that can be used as the organization builds recognition before its first WNBA season.

What is confirmed about the launch

The Sirens are scheduled to debut in 2028 and will be the league’s 16th team. Their planned home is Rocket Arena, where they will play alongside the Cavaliers.

The announcement does not establish an exact opening date or a game schedule. The franchise also has not announced its inaugural roster or head coach. Those details remain part of the preparation for the team’s first season.

For Cleveland, the franchise adds a major professional women’s sports team to the city’s sports and entertainment landscape. Its planned arrival creates a new local institution for fans while extending the city’s professional basketball presence beyond the Cavaliers.

The team’s name also gives supporters a way to follow the franchise before it takes the court. The Sirens can now begin building a public identity around the Cleveland name, Rocket Arena and the organization’s planned 2028 arrival.

The next major confirmed milestone is the debut season itself. Until then, the name announcement remains a foundational step: Cleveland has its WNBA team identity, but the roster, coaching staff, schedule and exact first-game date are still to come.