Women's Pro Baseball League Unveils Inaugural Cities in Historic Launch

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The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) made a monumental leap toward its 2026 debut today, announcing the four iconic cities that will host the league’s first franchises: Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The announcement marks a historic moment, as the WPBL is poised to become the first professional women’s baseball league in the United States since the legendary All-American Girls Professional Baseball League—immortalized in A League of Their Own—dissolved in 1954.

The Foundation: Storied Cities and Fan Power

The league, co-founded by trailblazer Justine Siegal (the first woman to coach for an MLB team), is launching with four teams—down from a previously planned six—to ensure a strong, sustainable start. The co-founders made clear the selection of these cities was intentional, focusing on market size, media presence, and deep-seated baseball heritage.

Boston and New York: These cities instantly promise to ignite an intense, coast-to-coast rivalry. New York, a global sports capital, offers the grit and glamour to put the league under the brightest media lights. Boston, a city steeped in baseball history, provides a passionate, multi-generational fan base ready to embrace the future of the game.
Los Angeles and San Francisco: The two California cities are set to anchor the West Coast. Los Angeles brings the star power and energy of a major sports market, while San Francisco represents the spirit of innovation and resilience crucial for building a new league.

“Each of these cities is are storied sports city,” said Siegal. “We can’t wait to connect with the fans who live there and baseball fans across the country.”

Next Steps: The Draft and the Stars

The WPBL is now set for its next major milestone: the inaugural draft next month. Over 600 players from around the world participated in summer tryouts, and the top 100 will be eligible for selection. The draft class is expected to feature high-profile names familiar to baseball fans, including former Little League World Series star Mo’ne Davis, USA Baseball veteran Kelsie Whitmore, and elite Japanese pitcher Ayami Sato.

The league will feature a regular season, playoffs, and an All-Star competition in 2026. While the teams are assigned to these four markets, the league has confirmed that all games during the inaugural season will be played at a single neutral venue, to be announced later, a strategy designed to reduce travel costs and maximize competitive balance during the startup phase.

By planting its flags in these four iconic American cities, the WPBL is confidently positioning itself not just as a new league, but as the long-awaited next chapter in the story of professional women’s baseball.