The “Caitlin Clark Effect” has prompted the Indiana Fever to head into the 2026 season with a plan to play 39 of their 44 regular-season games at NBA venues, which are significantly larger than standard WNBA arenas. Even the Atlanta Dream announced that they will move two games against Clark to State Farm Arena on June 20 and Aug. 16.
Indiana Fever to Play in NBA Arenas Amid Caitlin Clark’s Growing Popularity
Clark has inarguably been one of the most transformative players in WNBA history. She has changed how basketball is played and viewed, and is often compared to virtuosos like Stephen Curry, but she has shown that her impact goes beyond imitation. Her fast-paced offense and guard-dominant systems are the defining factors in women’s basketball now.
Her prowess began to show when she was a student-athlete at the University of Iowa, where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer (men’s or women’s). Her historic four-year campaign set her up for more record-breaking feats ahead. Sold-out arenas across the country, record-breaking TV ratings for women’s games, increased ticket prices, and widespread media coverage: you name it, she has it under her belt.
During the 2024 and 2025 seasons, several WNBA teams had to move games featuring the 24-year-old Clark to venues up to five times larger. Looking ahead to the 2026 season, reports indicate that, except for just five of their 44 games, the Indiana Fever will continue to play in NBA arenas due to a surge in ticket demand.
The Indiana Fever are set to play all but five games of their 44-game regular season schedule in NBA arenas 🙌
(h/t @ScottAgness) pic.twitter.com/Y7nzkCISZu
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 25, 2026
The Dream are also set to use State Farm Arena for three key games, including two against the Fever and one against Angel Reese and Chicago on Sept. 19. Reese, another emerging star, has a massive social media presence, major NIL deals, and a strong appeal with younger audiences.
READ MORE: Analyst Reveals How Caitlin Clark Exposed a ‘Major Issue’ That the NBA Must Solve
Clark joined the Indiana Fever in the 2024 season, played 40 games, and earned the WNBA Rookie of the Year honor, along with a host of other accolades. However, her 2025 season was cut short, as she played just 13 games due to multiple soft-tissue injuries, including a season-ending groin injury.
The two-time WNBA All-Star rested for eight months before returning for the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament. She joined forces with Angel Reese and delivered an MVP-caliber performance, helping secure a perfect 5-0 record while contributing 11.6 points per game. Clark then stepped into a new role, that of a photographer, as the Indiana Pacers appointed her for a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 25, 2026.
She had several fun moments on the sidelines, but one unique instance stood out when her camera captured a heated exchange between LeBron James and a referee over a controversial call.
