After years of anticipation, the wait is over: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has officially announced that the league’s 14th franchise will begin play in the 2026 season.
The WNBA has been a driving force in professional sports since its inception in 1997, which is still relatively new when compared to the NBA which has been active since 1949. While the WNBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences each consist of six teams, the NBA features 15 teams per conference, highlighting the different scales of the two leagues.
Teams currently in the Eastern Conference include the Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Washinton Mystics.
Teams currently in the Western Conference: Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm.
Toronto’s new team is a big deal for Canada, as it will be the country’s first women’s basketball team in the WNBA. Kilmer Sports Ventures, the organization awarded the franchise, aims to reflect Canadian pride by involving fans in the process of shaping the team’s identity. They’re seeking fan input on the team’s name, colour schemes, anecdotes, and photos that capture the essence of what the team should represent.
On CBC Radio’s Metro Morning, the team president Teresa Resch said that “we’re really looking forward to canvassing Canada to get ideas and inspiration; we want people to be a part of this process and be along with us on this journey.”
Bringing a WNBA team to Toronto requires immense dedication and patriotism, marking a significant step for both the city and the country. Kilmer Sports Ventures paid $115 million for the U.S. expansion team, and they’re no strangers to historic moves — they were also responsible for bringing the NBA to Toronto, helping the Raptors join the league 30 years ago.
The women’s team is scheduled to play at the Coca-Cola Coliseum, a prominent venue located in downtown Toronto at Exhibition Place. They will also have the chance to compete at Scotiabank Arena. The Coca-Coliseum, home to the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, recently hosted the Toronto team of the Professional Women’s Hockey League during their inaugural playoff run.
Over the past two years, Canada has hosted two WNBA preseason games, and both to sold-out crowds. Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena reached full capacity to witness the Chicago Sky’s 82-74 victory over the Minnesota Lynx. Similarly, Edmonton’s Rogers Place was packed when the Los Angeles Sparks defeated Seattle Storm with an 84-79 win.
With up to 20, 000 fans filling the arenas for these preseason games, the possibility of a WNBA expansion has become a hot topic. The strong turnout demonstrated that Canada is ready to support women’s basketball at a high level. Toronto, in particular, has proven to be an excellent market for the WNBA, setting a standard for fan engagement that the league hopes to replicate in cities across the board.
In a conversation with SportsNet , Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton said “there’s like a culture that people want to be part of, it’s not just putting the ball in the hoop, it’s about going to games, engaging on social media, the whole thing around basketball. It’s exciting to be part of that growth and I think we’re proving that Toronto is a good market for that growth.”
Toronto’s new WNBA franchise represents more than just the arrival of a team; it marks the beginning of a new era for women’s sports in Canada. With a passionate fan base, a growing basketball culture and a city that has embraced the sport on every level, the stage is set for something truly special.
As the team gears up for its debut in 2026, Toronto is not only poised to be a foundation for women’s basketball but also to set an inspiring example for the sport’s future and growth across the country. The excitement and energy surrounding this expansion are a testament to the power of basketball to unite and inspire — and Toronto is ready to lead the charge.
