Chicago has no shortage of professional women’s sports teams in 2026. It’s an embarrassment of riches. Soccer, basketball, football, rugby, and even a women-centric sports bar to catch all the games, means all the opportunities to lock in for the season.
Plus, with a historic collective bargaining agreement, endorsements, and community-backed support, these leagues are finally getting the shine – and money! – they deserve.
All they need now are face-painting, sign-holding fans to pack their stands and prove that everyone watches women’s sports. Let the games begin!
Chicago Stars FC
Sport: Soccer
League: National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Where they play: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium
Season starts: May 10, 2026, at Kansas City; home opener is at noon on May 31
Chicago Sky
Sport: Basketball
League: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Where they play: Wintrust Arena
Season starts: May 9, 2026, at Portland Fire; home opener is at 8 p.m. on May 20
Chicago-Style Roller Derby: a merger of The Chicago Outfit and DuPage Derby Dames
Sport: Flat track roller derby
League: Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)
Where they play: Salt Creek Sports Center, 647 S Consumers Ave, Palatine, IL 60074
Season starts: June 27
Chicago Tempest
Sport: Rugby
League: Women’s Elite Rugby (WER)
Where they play: Benedictine University Stadium
Season starts: May 2, 2026
ICYMI: We’ve been keeping an eye on the team since it was announced in August 2024.
Chicago Winds
Sport: Football
League: The Women’s National Football Conference
Where they play: 8522 S Lafayette Ave, Chicago, IL, 60620
Season starts: March 28, 2026
Windy City Rollers
Sport: Flat track roller derby
League: Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)
Season starts: May 15, 2026
Don’t miss our ode to roller derby here.
Teams no longer with us:
Chicago Bandits
Sport: Fastpitch Softball
League: National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Where they played: Chicago Bandits Stadium in Rosemont
NPF Champions 2008, 2011, 2015, 2016
The team folded in 2021 when the NPF disbanded.
Chicago Force
Sport: Women’s Tackle Football
League: Women’s Football Alliance
Where they played: Lazier Field in Evanston
The team ended operations in 2018 with an overall record of 123-29.
Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers
Sport: Arm Wrestling
Where they played: Logan Square Auditorium
Curious about CLLAW? Check out our feature story.
The league held its final bout online in 2020.
Is there a team out there that we’re missing? Let us know!
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