Baltimore Starlings
Baltimore's professional women's basketball team debuts in May 2027. Follow every signing, the roster as it takes shape and the schedule once it's released.
Updated Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.
Starlings signings tracker
Every player and coach the Starlings add, newest first.
2027 roster
2027 schedule
What we know: the season opens in May 2027 and runs into August, with home games at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on the UMBC campus in Catonsville. The arena is about 20 minutes from downtown and offers free parking. The Starlings will play the five other UPSHOT teams below.
Tickets
Season memberships and group outing packages are on sale through the team at StarlingsUpshot.com. Fans can hold seats with a refundable deposit of $55 per seat. Team merchandise is available there as well.
Front office
| Role | Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | To be announced | Pending |
| President | Sonia Chase | Named |
| Governor | Greg Resh | Named |
| Owner and operator | Zawyer Sports & Entertainment (Andy Kaufmann) | Named |
| League commissioner | Donna Orender | Named |
The name and logo
Fans picked the name in a “Name the Team” contest earlier in 2026, and it keeps Baltimore’s streak of bird-named teams alongside the Orioles and Ravens. The logo shows a starling in Maryland flag colors, with a star for an eye as a nod to Fort McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner. Read more in our story on the Starlings name reveal.
UPSHOT League teams in 2027
UPSHOT launched to give more pro-caliber players a place to compete, given how few WNBA roster spots exist. Its investor group includes Hall of Famers Cheryl Miller, Ann Meyers Drysdale and Tamika Catchings.
| Team | City | Joined |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Starlings | Baltimore | Expansion, 2027 |
| Nashville (name to come) | Nashville | Expansion, 2027 |
| Charlotte Crown | Charlotte | Founding team |
| Greensboro Groove | Greensboro | Founding team |
| Jacksonville Waves | Jacksonville | Founding team |
| Savannah Steel | Savannah | Founding team |
Franchise timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Nov. 20, 2025 | The UPSHOT League announces Baltimore as its first expansion franchise. |
| May 2026 | UPSHOT’s inaugural season tips off with four teams: Jacksonville, Charlotte, Savannah and Greensboro. |
| July 2026 | Michelle Onyiah signs with the Indiana Fever, the first UPSHOT player to reach the WNBA. |
| Aug. 4, 2026 | Baltimore native and former WNBA player Sonia Chase is named team president. |
| Sept. 10, 2026 | The team is unveiled as the Baltimore Starlings at the Pendry Baltimore in Fells Point. |
| Coming soon | Inaugural head coach, first player signings, jerseys and mascot. |
Baltimore Starlings FAQ
- When do the Baltimore Starlings start playing?
- The Starlings play their first season in May 2027. The UPSHOT League's season runs from May into August.
- Where do the Baltimore Starlings play?
- Home games are at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on the UMBC campus in Catonsville, about 20 minutes from downtown Baltimore.
- Who is the Baltimore Starlings' head coach?
- The team hasn't named its first head coach yet. The announcement is expected in the coming months, and we'll add it here.
- What league are the Baltimore Starlings in?
- The UPSHOT League, a professional women's basketball league that launched in 2026 and is led by former WNBA president Donna Orender. Baltimore and Nashville join for 2027, bringing the league to six teams.
- How do I get Baltimore Starlings tickets?
- Season memberships and group packages are available through the team at StarlingsUpshot.com, where fans can reserve seats with a refundable deposit.