The WNBA is poised to make history on August 15 when the Atlanta Dream takes on the Seattle Storm in Vancouver, setting the stage for the debut of the Toronto Tempo in 2026. This matchup will be the first regular-season game held outside of the United States, taking place at Rogers Arena and underscoring the league’s initiatives to expand its footprint in Canada.
“As we prepare to establish permanent roots in Canada with a Toronto franchise, this game and our year-round engagement efforts are a nod to the incredible momentum around women’s basketball in Canada,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a statement on Tuesday, as reported by Richard Deitsch and Ben Pickman of The Athletic.
Recent exhibition games in Canada have shown strong fan engagement for the WNBA. The league’s inaugural Canadian game was hosted in Toronto in 2023, followed by a sold-out event in Edmonton in 2024. The game in Vancouver will be the fifth international game in WNBA history, following preseason matches in Monterrey, Mexico, in 2004 and Manchester, England, in 2011.
WNBA seizing the opportunity with international matchup
As several professional sports leagues, including the NFL, pursue international growth, the Vancouver game represents the WNBA’s increasing popularity and serves as a stepping stone for the Tempo’s upcoming entry into the league. The Tempo will represent the WNBA’s first franchise outside the U.S., with possible games slated for both Vancouver and Montreal.
This game holds special significance for Atlanta Dream forward Laeticia Amihere, the only Canadian on either roster. A native of Ontario, Amihere will have the rare chance to compete in a regular-season game in her home nation.
The inclusion of Seattle in this matchup makes logistical sense, due to Vancouver’s closeness to the Pacific Northwest. The Storm, backed by seasoned veterans, is seeking another playoff appearance after making the postseason in eight of the last ten years. Meanwhile, Atlanta, led by first-year head coach Karl Smesko, aims to secure its third consecutive playoff spot for the first time since 2014.
The Vancouver game is significant for the WNBA, coming on the heels of record-setting viewership figures in 2024. With new media partners like NBC and Amazon teaming up with Disney/ESPN in a long-term broadcasting arrangement, the league hopes to build further on this growing interest.
Further details regarding ticket sales, broadcast information, and game time will be shared in the upcoming months. Fans interested can sign up for presale ticket notifications at WNBACanadaGame.com.
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