The WNBA announced Thursday that Toronto will be home to the league’s newest team, which will start play in 2026. The Canadian franchise will grow the WNBA to 14 teams. Another expansion franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, begins play in 2025.
The Toronto team will be the WNBA’s first franchise outside the United States. Exhibition games in Canada the past two years proved popular, and women’s basketball as a sport has grown tremendously in that nation over the past 20 years.
The WNBA expanded quickly after its launch in 1997, growing to 16 teams by 2000 — but only stayed at that number through 2002. The Atlanta Dream in 2008 were the last expansion team in the WNBA, which has been at 12 teams since 2010.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has said 16 teams is the goal she hopes to reach by 2028.
With the largest television audience ever for the WNBA draft this year, increased ratings for games and more appearances on national television, the league has never been more visible. Expansion will increase that visibility.
With roster sizes capped at 12, there has been a maximum of 144 jobs — although some teams have carried fewer than 12. More teams means more jobs for players.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, Kevin Pelton and Michael Voepel discuss why now is the…
