Is 2026 the Year of the WAG?
From star athlete duos to the biggest names in music, celebrity WAGs are making this year their own, and it’s time the world caught up.
Society’s obsession with WAGs — wives and girlfriends, specifically of athletes — runs deep. Before Instagram and TikTok gave us a sneak peek into the lives of influencers and celebrities, Basketball Wives captivated screens across the country. Before Georgina Rodriguez’s Soy Georgina became a Netflix success, tabloids were keeping us up to date on Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney’s latest pursuits.
WAGs are an institution, but in the last few years, we’ve seen celebrities throw all of the term’s old connotations out the window. The biggest names in music and sports are, by definition, WAGs now, but make no mistake: these women have some serious HABs on their arms. The modern WAG makes it clear that a healthy relationship goes both ways, and in 2026, when more of our favorite faces are sitting courtside than ever before, the new generation is changing the narrative in their own way.
Historically, WAGs have been unknown to the public eye before their relationship status became fodder for blogs and tabloids. That is still the case in many situations, from the likes of Rodriguez and Antonela Roccuzzo to Tolami Benson, who lit up the Euros in 2024 for her custom looks, effortless style and relatable lip gloss choices. However, more and more women who have already made a name for themselves are stepping out with champions and All-Stars. From Jordyn Woods to Oriana Sabatini, the dawn of the celebrity WAG has come upon us.
Ciara can’t possibly be responsible for every romance between a successful musician and an athlete, but there’s no denying that it is the new blueprint for celebrity couples. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are Exhibit A, but when Megan Thee Stallion finally hard-launched her relationship with NBA All-Star Klay Thompson, the internet nearly broke. Two of the biggest superstars in their respective fields were an item, and with that, they mobilized their polar opposite fan bases, building a bridge between the two.
At the end of the day, those bridges are at the core of what makes WAGs so special. People who would otherwise never be interested in a sport are suddenly invested in the well-being and success of these players, only because their favorite pop star or influencer is in a relationship with them. But what happens when the fanbases are already nearly identical in their love for a sport? It’s safe to say there are levels to this WAG business.
Where these relationships stray away from the norm stems from the sheer popularity of these women. They may all be athletes, but some names hold more weight than others. Take Reese and Biles, for example: more people around the world are likely to know them than their romantic counterparts. This is where the term HABs is used in full force, and rightfully so. Whereas many expect WAGs to support their partners without much consideration for the other side of the bargain, these relationships are a two-way street.
We’re talking about WNBA and NWSL champions, Olympic gold medalists and some of the greatest athletes in their sports. You’ll always see Shelton supporting Rodman, whether she’s playing for club or country, and she does the same, often flying across the world for tennis matches. Wilson and Adebayo are constantly sitting courtside for each other, whether it’s a playoff game or the regular season.
