{"id":429924,"date":"2026-01-24T09:13:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T09:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/429924\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T09:13:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T09:13:28","slug":"toronto-tempos-wnba-era-officially-has-a-start-date-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/429924\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Tempo’s WNBA era officially has a start date: Everything you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Toronto\u2019s newest pro team just put a big red circle on the calendar! The Toronto Tempo have announced<\/a> their inaugural regular-season home opener for Friday, May 8, 2026, when they\u2019ll host the Washington Mystics at Coca-Cola Coliseum as part of the WNBA\u2019s opening night slate.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a milestone moment not just for Toronto, but for women\u2019s sports in Canada: the Tempo will be the WNBA\u2019s first franchise outside the U.S., launching in the league\u2019s 30th season.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re Tempo-curious, here\u2019s what to know about the team, the biggest dates and how to score tickets.<\/p>\n

Wait, so who are the Toronto Tempo?<\/p>\n

The Tempo are Toronto\u2019s WNBA expansion team<\/a>, awarded in May 2024. The team is based in Toronto, but the league has positioned the franchise as Canada\u2019s team, with an inaugural schedule that includes home games in Toronto, as well as in Montreal and Vancouver!<\/p>\n

The \u201cTempo\u201d name was officially unveiled in late 2024<\/a> after a public engagement process that drew more than 10,000 submissions, with team leadership framing the brand around rhythm, pace and the pulse of the city.<\/p>\n

A look at the Tempo\u2019s first season <\/p>\n

The WNBA\u2019s 2026 regular season runs from May 8 to Sept. 24, 2026, and each team will play 44 games (22 home and 22 away), with each opponent facing Toronto three times over the season. According to<\/a> the WNBA, opening night (May 8) will feature three games, so Toronto\u2019s debut is one of the headline events kicking off the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Toronto\u2019s home dates are spread across four venues, with the majority played at Coca-Cola Coliseum: 15 games at Coca-Cola Coliseum (Toronto), three games at Scotiabank Arena (Toronto), two games at the Bell Centre (Montreal) and two games at Rogers Arena (Vancouver).<\/p>\n

Key dates to look out for<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re hoping to catch the Tempo in a huge setting, three games are slated for Scotiabank Arena: June 27 vs. the Phoenix Mercury, July 30 vs. the Minnesota Lynx and Aug. 18 vs. the Indiana Fever.<\/p>\n

The Commissioner\u2019s Cup takes place June 1\u201317 (with the title game on June 30). Toronto will also have a nine-game home stretch from June 25 to July 20, followed by the WNBA All-Star Game Weekend in Chicago (July 24 and 25).<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> for the full schedule!<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s on the Toronto Tempo?<\/p>\n

This part\u2019s still in motion! The league and players\u2019 union are still working through collective bargaining. According to<\/a> Reuters, there\u2019s currently a moratorium on league business, like free agency (and the league hasn\u2019t yet been able to hold an expansion draft for the new franchises in Toronto and Portland). We do know that a couple of notable celebs, like Serena Williams<\/a> and Lilly Singh,<\/a> have joined the Tempo\u2019s ownership group, with the legendary Sandy Brondello<\/a> as the team\u2019s first head coach.<\/p>\n

How to get tickets <\/p>\n

The on-sale date for single-game tickets hasn\u2019t been announced yet, but it\u2019ll be shared closer to the start of the season! Head to the Tempo website to sign up<\/a> for notifications and presale access. Die-hards can also join the Tempo Fan Club for presale access before the general public.<\/p>\n

For season ticket membership<\/a>, fans have to drop a $100 standard season ticket waitlist deposit (or $250 premium) per seat, with up to four deposits per person\/entity. The team also offers special ticket offers for large groups<\/a>, whether it\u2019s a night out with friends, family, coworkers or a community organization.<\/p>\n