Toronto awarded WNBA’s first franchise outside US, with expansion team set to begin play in 2026

By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer

Toronto has been awarded the WNBA’s first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026. The team will be owned by Larry Tanenbaum-led Kilmer Sports Ventures. Tanenbaum also is the chairman and a minority owner of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns several Toronto sports franchises, including the NBA’s Raptors and NHL’s Maple Leafs. Toronto will be the WNBA’s 14th franchise, with the expansion Golden State Valkyries set to start play next year. Toronto will play at 8,700-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place and will have the ability to move up to the Scotiabank Arena on occasion. Tanenbaum said that the team also will play some games in Vancouver and Montreal.