Toronto has been awarded the WNBA’s first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026
FILE -Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Toronto Raptors, arrives for the annual meeting of the NBA's Board of Governors in New York, Thursday, April 18, 2013. The WNBA is expanding north with Toronto gaining a franchise that will begin play in 2026.
“Growing internationally, I’ve been trying to think through next steps on a global platform,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told The Associated Press ahead of the official announcement Thursday morning. “It helps us reach new audiences and bring in new partners. The thing I love about going to another country is that the young girls and boys get to see professionalToronto will be the WNBA’s 14th franchise, with the expansion Golden State Valkyries set to start play next year.
Toronto will play at 8,700-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place and will have the ability to move up to the Scotiabank Arena on occasion. Opened in 1921, Coca-Cola Coliseum also is the home of the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. Tanenbaum said that the team also will play some games in Vancouver and Montreal. As far as the name of the team, he said that they’d take their time and “solicit public input.”
WNBA Basketball U.S. News General News World News Article 110494074
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WNBA franchise awarded to Toronto for 2026 season, per reportsThe WNBA is reportedly heading to Toronto after repoorts that the league awarded a franchise to the Ontario-based Kilmer Group.
Read more »
Toronto reportedly awarded a WNBA expansion franchise for the 2026 seasonA reported deal would have Toronto’s WNBA team start playing in May 2026.
Read more »
WNBA adding Toronto expansion team in 2026: ReportsThe WNBA reportedly is adding an expansion franchise in Toronto that will begin play in 2026.
Read more »
WNBA franchise reportedly awarded to Toronto for 2026 seasonThe WNBA is adding an expansion team in Toronto, according to a report by the CBC. Toronto would be the league's 14th team and first in Canada.
Read more »
WNBA franchise awarded to Toronto for 2026 season, according to media reportsThe WNBA is reportedly heading to Toronto
Read more »
WNBA franchise awarded to Toronto for 2026 season, according to media reportsThe WNBA is reportedly heading to Toronto. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reports that the women’s professional basketball league has awarded a franchise to the Kilmer Group. The reported deal would have Toronto’s WNBA team start playing in May 2026. The WNBA did not confirm the report.
Read more »