{"id":611489,"date":"2026-04-28T15:46:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T15:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/611489\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T15:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T15:46:14","slug":"fanduel-named-1st-igaming-partner-of-wnbas-toronto-tempo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/611489\/","title":{"rendered":"FanDuel Named 1st iGaming Partner of WNBA’s Toronto Tempo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Grant<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Updated:
\nApr 28, 2026 , 10:45 AM ET<\/p>\n

\u2022 4 min read<\/p>\n

FanDuel, Tempo reach multi-year agreement on iGaming partnership.<\/p>\n

Photo By – Reuters Connect. Toronto Tempo during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

FanDuel announced on Tuesday that the sports betting and casino company has become the first Canadian iGaming partner of the WNBA\u2019s Toronto Tempo.<\/p>\n

The Tempo, founded in December, will play its inaugural game against the Washington Mystics on the WNBA\u2019s opening day on May 8.<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/p>\n

FanDuel already has a string of relationships in women\u2019s sports and in Canada.
\nThe partnership will lead to engagements and initiatives for fans and customers.
\nWNBA viewership reached an all-time high last season.<\/p>\n

The multi-year agreement between the sports betting and\u00a0online casino<\/a> giant and one of the WNBA\u2019s new franchises will bring it even closer to Canadian users and fans of women\u2019s basketball.<\/p>\n

\u201cPartnering with the Toronto Tempo in their inaugural season is an exciting opportunity for FanDuel customers and basketball fans,\u201d said Tom Burdakin, FanDuel\u2019s vice president of marketing, in a release. \u201cAs a company that shares the same passion for community and empowering women’s sports, we are proud to support a new franchise that will celebrate fans and elevate women\u2019s professional sports in Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n

The WNBA experienced a huge surge in popularity in recent years. The 2025 season set a 27-year record, with games on ESPN increasing 6% year-over-year and averaging 1.3 million viewers. Viewers under 18 were up 30% year-over-year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With sports betting and casino gambling also on the rise, the partnership blends the experiences of two growing industries into one.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne word to describe this partnership is transformative,\u201d said Lisa Ferkul, Chief Revenue Officer of the Toronto Tempo. \u201cWelcoming FanDuel marks a significant milestone for our organization as we continue to build Canada\u2019s first WNBA team and deepen fan engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account \"Add<\/a>FanDuel expands in Canada, women\u2019s sports<\/p>\n

With the WNBA season just around the corner, fans will be able to \u201cengage in more ways than any other platform from tip-off to buzzer\u201d through the partnership between FanDuel<\/a> and the Tempo.<\/p>\n

Both sides will sponsor exclusive engagements for fans and FanDuel customers. FanDuel will also be allowed to advertise its brand inside the arena and through digital activations that bring fans closer to the league on and off the court.<\/p>\n

FanDuel has a strong presence in Canada. On top of being a popular destination for iGaming users in Ontario, it is affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), and Toronto Argonauts (CFL).\u00a0<\/p>\n

It has also shown a commitment to women\u2019s sports. It has been an official partner of the WNBA since 2022, and it became one of the first official sportsbook partners of the Professional Women\u2019s Hockey League across Canada and the U.S. in late 2024.<\/p>\n

Additionally, FanDuel became the first official sports betting partner of The Sports Network (TSN), starting in Ontario, and is growing its presence throughout the province.<\/p>\n

Tempo season odds and expectations<\/p>\n

The Tempo is one of two teams that will play their first WNBA season in 2026, alongside the Portland Fire.<\/p>\n

The Fire are tied for the longest WNBA Finals odds<\/a> in the entire league at +50,000. The Tempo aren\u2019t far off, but they are above four other teams and tied for 11th in odds at +12,500. That\u2019s impressive, considering expansion teams fill out their rosters from players left unprotected by other teams in the league.\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE FIRST EVER 1ST RD DRAFT PICK IN TORONTO TEMPO HISTORY, KIKI RICE \ud83d\udcaf#WNBADraft<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tJPpqmeJAW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) April 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Home games will be played at Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place in Toronto.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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