Toronto Tempo

The Toronto Tempo are a professional women's basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, set to begin play in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) starting with the 2026 season. Founded in 2025 as an expansion franchise, the Tempo will tip off their inaugural campaign in May 2026, making history as the first WNBA team based outside the United States. The team was officially announced on March 8, 2025, and its name, chosen through a fan vote, reflects the city's fast-paced energy and diverse rhythm. The ownership group, Kilmer Sports Ventures, led by Larry Tanenbaum (chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment), secured the franchise rights in a deal valued at approximately $115 million USD.

The Tempo play their home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum, a multi-purpose arena located at Exhibition Place in Toronto, with a seating capacity of about 8,300 for basketball. They compete in the WNBA's Eastern Conference, joining the league as its 14th franchise and the first Canadian entry.[edit]

The franchise was awarded to Kilmer Sports Ventures on March 8, 2025, with an expansion fee of $115 million. The team name, Toronto Tempo, was unveiled on June 15, 2025, following a public vote that drew over 100,000 submissions. Within 48 hours of opening season-ticket deposits in August 2025, the Tempo received over 20,000 deposits, a record for a WNBA expansion team. The team signed a multi-year jersey sponsorship deal with a major Canadian bank in October 2025, though financial terms were not disclosed.

The first head coach, Teresa Resch, was hired in May 2025. Resch previously served as an assistant coach with the NBA's Toronto Raptors and was vice president of player development for Raptors 905. General manager Monica Wright, a two-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx, was appointed in July 2025. The team's first marquee free-agent signing was Canadian guard Kia Nurse in February 2026, followed by forward Bridget Carleton and center Queen Egbo. The Tempo hold the first overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, acquired via a trade with the Golden State Valkyries.[edit]