WNBA Expands to Canada: Toronto Awarded First Franchise Outside US

The WNBA has just made a historic announcement that is sure to excite basketball fans in Canada. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert revealed that Toronto has been chosen as the home for the league’s first franchise outside the United States. This new team is set to hit the court in the 2026 season, making it the 14th team in the WNBA.

The exciting news comes after it was previously announced that the Golden State Valkyries expansion team would be joining the league next year. The addition of a team in Toronto not only expands the reach of the WNBA but also marks a significant moment for women’s basketball in Canada.

The team will be backed by Kilmer Sports Ventures chairman Larry Tanenbaum, who is investing $115 million into the expansion. Tanenbaum, who also owns the NBA’s Raptors, NHL’s Maple Leafs, and MLS’ Toronto FC, expressed his enthusiasm for bringing a WNBA team to Canada, calling it a “game-changing day” for women’s basketball and sports in the country.

The new Toronto team will play their games at the Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto, with plans to also host games in other arenas across Canada. While the team name has yet to be decided, Tanenbaum has promised to involve the public in choosing an official nickname for the franchise.

With the growing interest in women’s sports, the addition of the Toronto team comes at a perfect time for the WNBA. The league is also planning to introduce two more new franchises by 2028, further expanding and diversifying the competition. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in women’s basketball.