The First Ever WNBA Preseason Game in Canada is Coming to Toronto

The WNBA is making its way to Canada for the first time ever this year when the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx will face off in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.

Candace Parker of Chicago Sky
Getty

Candace Parker of Chicago Sky

Candace Parker of Chicago Sky

This will be only the third WNBA preseason game to be played outside of the United States. In 2004, the Detroit Shock and San Antonio Silver Stars met in Monterrey, Mexico and in 2011 the Atlanta Dream played the Standard Life Great Britain Women’s basketball team in Manchester, England.

The WNBA is making its way to Canada for the first time ever this year when the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx will face off in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on May 13.

“Bringing a WNBA preseason game to Canada is an important milestone for the global growth of the league,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a press release.

“I’ve spoken often of the global popularity of women’s basketball and, this past season, WNBA games were broadcast in 207 countries and territories, including in Canada, where fans have shown a great appetite for WNBA action. And as Canadian stars like Bridget Carleton, Natalie Achonwa and Kia Nurse continue to flourish in and drive interest around the league, we’re looking forward to building on the momentum and excitement surrounding the WNBA in Canada with this historic game.” 

Both the Sky and the Lynx have seen their fair share of success over the last ten years with the former bringing home the championship in 2021, while the Minnesota-based team won four championships between 2011 and 2017.

The Lynx roster features Canadian Natalie Achonwa and Bridget Carleton as Canadian players on the team. Both Achonwa and Carleton recently led Canada to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

Both TSN and Sportsnet will broadcast the game in Canada, while fans in the U.S. can catch it on WNBA League Pass.

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