WNBAEasternern ConferenceEst. 19981 championship
The Washington Mystics won their first WNBA Championship in 2019, led by MVP Elena Delle Donne and coached by Mike Thibault. The team plays at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington DC, one of the largest arenas in the WNBA with over 20,000 seats. Elena Delle Donne, a two-time WNBA MVP and the most efficient scorer in league history, has battled injuries in recent seasons but remains the franchise's most iconic player. Washington DC's diverse, politically engaged population has made the Mystics a team with a strong social justice identity — the team has been vocal advocates for equal pay and LGBTQ+ rights. Coach Eric Thibault, son of championship-winning coach Mike Thibault, now leads the team with a focus on developing young talent around Delle Donne. The Mystics' proximity to government and media institutions makes them one of the most visible WNBA franchises off the court.
The Washington Mystics play all home games at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The venue seats 20,356 fans and hosts WNBA games from May through September each season.
The Washington Mystics are led by head coach Eric Thibault, who is responsible for game strategy, player development, and roster management.
Elena Delle Donne is the standout player for the Washington Mystics in the 2026 WNBA season, driving the team's performance and fan interest at Capital One Arena.
The Washington Mystics's most intense rivalries are with the Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream — matchups that consistently draw large crowds and high TV ratings.
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is the world's premier professional women's basketball league, founded in 1996. The 2026 season is one of the most-watched in WNBA history, with record attendance, TV viewership and global star power driving unprecedented growth. The league features teams across the United States and Canada, competing from May through September with playoffs culminating in the WNBA Finals.