The stage is set for a new chapter in elite women’s basketball as the 2026 Unrivaled 1v1 tournament commences this Wednesday evening. This year’s iteration introduces a completely revamped bracket, with athletes competing for a substantial prize purse of $300,000. The absence of the reigning 2025 champion, Napheesa Collier, who is recovering from an injury, ensures a wide-open contest for the title.
Leading the charge as the tournament’s top seeds are a quartet of formidable players: Kelsey Mitchell of Hive BC, Paige Bueckers representing Breeze BC, and the Mist BC duo of Allisha Gray and Breanna Stewart. Their seeding positions them as the athletes to watch as the competition unfolds over the next three days.
Adding to the tournament’s intrigue is the return of last year’s finalist, Aaliyah Edwards of the Lunar Owls, who will be aiming to go one step further this time around. The field is further energized by the inclusion of several players making their Unrivaled debut. These rookies, poised to make their mark, include not only the top-seeded Paige Bueckers, but also Sonia Citron (Hive BC), Saniya Rivers (Vinyl BC), and Dominique Malonga (Breeze BC).
New Faces and Fresh Dynamics
The blend of established stars and promising newcomers promises a dynamic and unpredictable tournament. The debut of players like Paige Bueckers and Saniya Rivers, captured in anticipation by photographers like Megan Briggs of Getty Images, signifies the event’s growing prestige and its role as a premier showcase for individual talent. Their first appearances on the Unrivaled court are among the most anticipated storylines of the opening night.
With the bracket fully reset and a significant financial incentive on the line, every matchup carries heightened stakes. The three-day format will test not only the skill but also the endurance and strategic adaptability of each competitor, as they navigate a path through a field devoid of a defending champion.