Toronto Tempo gears up for historic WNBA debut on May 8
Toronto's newest WNBA team, the Tempo, is set to make its debut soon. The franchise will face the Connecticut Sun in a pre-season match before launching its first official season on May 8. With the expansion draft underway, the team is racing to assemble its roster in time for the 2026 campaign. The Tempo's first-ever WNBA game will take place at Coca-Cola Coliseum on May 8, where they will host the Washington Mystics. Before that, they will play a pre-season fixture against the Connecticut Sun, giving fans an early look at the team.
The franchise currently holds four picks in the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft: the sixth, 22nd, 26th, and 36th selections. The 26th pick was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Sky, though the Tempo will not select from Chicago's unprotected player list during the expansion draft.
As of April 3, the team has yet to sign any players. The expansion draft, involving both Toronto and Portland, is taking place today. With little time left before the season begins, the Tempo must quickly finalise their squad. The Tempo's pre-season game against the Sun will mark their first appearance on court. Their official debut on May 8 will follow, with the team relying on draft picks and expansion selections to form their roster. The coming weeks will determine how quickly Toronto can build a competitive side for their inaugural season.
