The WNBA is expanding to Toronto by granting the league’s 14th franchise to the city, according to multiple reports.
The team, led by Toronto billionaire Larry Tanenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Venture, will begin play in 2026. It will use the 8,000-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum as its home arena, per multiple reports.
CBC Sports first reported the news, which was confirmed by the Toronto Star.
The Toronto franchise will be the WNBA’s first based outside of the United States. The league has played exhibition games in Canada in the past two seasons, including in Toronto in 2023. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert called the exhibition a “seminal moment” for the league in its desire to expand a global platform.
“I see the passion for sports here and women’s sports especially,” Engelbert said in 2023 about the Toronto market.
In April, The Athletic first reported the WNBA intended to expand to 16 teams, noting that Toronto was among the front-runners. Its 13th franchise, located in the Bay Area, is set to begin play next season.
The league did not confirm news of the Toronto franchise Friday. CBC reported an announcement is expected May 23.
“We continue to engage in productive conversations with interested ownership groups in a number of markets and the granting of any expansion…
