WNBA Expands to Toronto: First Franchise Outside U.S., Set to Debut in 2026 potentially followed by Charter Flights for Teams.

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is set to expand to Toronto, Canada, following a reported deal between the league and the Kilmer Group, according to multiple media outlets. The team is scheduled to begin play during the 2026 season, making it the first WNBA franchise based outside of the United States. The league’s commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, previously stated her intention to grow the league to 16 teams by the 2028 season, with Toronto being among the potential locations for expansion teams. The team will reportedly play at the 8,000-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum, which currently hosts the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies and the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Toronto franchise. This marks the second Canadian city to host a WNBA team, following the Dallas Wings’ relocation to College Park in Maryland in 2021. In contrast, the previous year saw the departure of the Atlanta Dream, leaving the league with just 12 franchises. The league has also announced plans to introduce charter flights for teams beginning in the upcoming 2024 season, which could potentially facilitate further expansion into Canada. The WNBA has yet to officially confirm the team’s addition, stating that any expansion proposals require approval from both the WNBA and NBA boards of governors. Notably, Larry Tanenbaum, the chairman and CEO of Kilmer Group and the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Toronto Raptors basketball team and the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team, is involved in the endeavor.