The WNBA is expanding to Toronto, marking the league’s first team outside the United States. The Toronto team is set to debut in 2026 after Larry Tanenbaum-led Kilmer Sports Ventures secured the franchise by paying $115 million, which also includes constructing a practice facility. The team will play at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Exhibition Place and occasionally at the Scotiabank Arena.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed the importance of globalizing the league and expanding to Canada to enhance the league’s international presence. The approval for the Toronto franchise was met with overwhelming support, with the WNBA board of governors voting 13-0 and the NBA board of governors voting 29-1, with only the New York Knicks voting against the expansion.
The team aims to engage fans across Canada and plans to play games in Vancouver and Montreal. Former Raptors executive Teresa Resch has been appointed as the president of the Toronto WNBA team. Kilmer Sports Ventures is committed to investing in the team and building a state-of-the-art practice facility.
The league has seen growth in interest and is aiming to expand to 16 teams by 2028, with potential bids for new teams in cities such as Portland, which would bring the total to 15 teams. Cities like Philadelphia, Denver, Nashville, and the South Florida region have also been mentioned for possible expansion franchises in the future. With the addition of the Toronto team, women’s professional sports are gaining momentum, highlighting the talent, passion, and competitiveness present in women’s sports.
