A Canadian came up with basketball in the first place, so it feels almost overdue that Canada finally gets its own WNBA squad. Enter the Toronto Tempo – the league’s 14th franchise. In doing so, they’ve filled what Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures and longtime builder of winning franchises, identified as a glaring gap. “We all watch the Olympic basketball, we watch Olympic hockey, we watch Olympic soccer, all women’s teams, why shouldn’t there be a professional women’s basketball team here?” he’d said in a press conference.

At launch, the plan was clear. Toronto would host its home games at the 8,700-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place (where the Toronto Marlies play), while occasionally stepping into the bigger spotlight of Scotiabank Arena with nearly 20,000 seats. But Tanenbaum had also hinted at spreading the love with games in Vancouver and Montreal. The “some games in Vancouver” part? Well, halfway into 2025, we finally have an answer.

On Friday, the franchise revealed that it will host two games in Vancouver next year. The announcement came directly from team president Teresa Resch and general manager Monica Wright Rogers, who shared the news at center court during the WNBA Canada Game at Rogers Arena. Fans packed the venue for the matchup between the Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream, which made history as the first official WNBA game played outside the U.S. While this was a milestone, the league has previously tested international waters with exhibition contests, including stops in Toronto (2023), Edmonton (2022), England (2011), and Mexico (2004).

Brittney Griner, never one to miss an opportunity to hype up a fan base, gave Vancouver a personal shoutout before tip-off. “What’s up, Vancouver fans?” Griner said. “Hope to see you at the game tonight. We’re gonna put on a good show for y’all.” She wasn’t the only one. Nneka Ogwumike, Te-Hina Paopao, Dominique Malonga, and Skylar Diggins also sent notes of excitement for the city’s basketball faithful.

Larry Tanenbaum, who was instrumental in bringing the Raptors to the city in the ’90s, is part of the ownership group behind Tempo. He had also made it very clear, “This is Canada’s team.” Resch was echoing that exact sentiment knowing that the Tempo will represent WNBA’s first overseas expansion similar to how the Raptors rep all of Canada in the NBA. So adding another market like Vancouver is part of Tempo’s identity. “It’s important that the fans are from coast to coast, and really can feel part of this community,” she said.

As the WNBA is rapidly gaining a new fanbase, it’s become important that the first overseas team has an expansive fanbase. As Resch put it, “We know that not everybody’s going to be able to attend a game, whether they live in Toronto, or in British Columbia, or in Halifax, but they can all be part of this fan club and be part of the community. We will look to play regular-season games outside of Toronto, which I think will be very unique to us as a professional sports team.”

Now, the next step is building a roster that the fans will love despite the results.

Toronto Tempo is a national team

Before highlights can fill the scoreboard or history gets written, Toronto’s expansion franchise has one major task ahead: putting together a roster. With excitement building over who will be the first to wear the baby blue and burgundy, general manager Monica Wright Rogers has plenty of decisions on her plate.

The draft order for 2026 remains undecided, but fans are already eyeing the pool of talent set to enter the league. Consider the possibilities – a lineup guided by TCU playmaker Olivia Miles, who brings stability and vision. Or perhaps a defense-first identity built around LSU standout Flau’jae Johnson, whose energy and grit could set the tone. Adding to the intrigue, the upcoming CBA has shifted how veterans across the WNBA structure their contracts. A number of stars have timed their deals to expire after this season, giving them flexibility under the higher salary cap.

That means Toronto won’t just be banking on rookies. Next offseason’s free-agent market is expected to feature household names like Nneka Ogwumike, Brionna Jones, and other potential max-contract players. The combination of fresh young talent and proven veterans offers the Tempo a rare chance to blend development with experience – and to craft a roster worthy of the enthusiasm already brewing in Canada.