Sports
Toronto Tempo Announce 2026 Theme Nights
Toronto is getting more than just basketball during the inaugural season of the Toronto Tempo.
The Tempo have unveiled their full slate of theme nights for the 2026 WNBA regular season, with all 22 home games featuring celebrations that highlight culture, community, and the continued growth of basketball across Canada. From the franchise’s historic debut to heritage celebrations and games outside Toronto, the schedule is packed with events aimed at creating memorable experiences both on and off the court.
The festivities begin on May 8, when the Tempo host the Washington Mystics in the franchise’s first-ever regular season game. Opening Night, presented by CIBC, marks the debut of Canada’s first WNBA team and promises an evening celebrating a historic moment for women’s basketball.
Culture will take center stage throughout the season with several heritage-themed events. Asian Heritage Night on May 23 against the Portland Fire will celebrate the communities that have helped shape both Toronto and the local basketball scene. The evening will include storytelling, community programming, and limited-edition merchandise created with Asian Roots Collective.
On June 25, the Tempo will host the Los Angeles Sparks for Indigenous Heritage Night, recognizing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures while showcasing Indigenous artists and voices from across Canada.
Just two days later, the team will celebrate Play with Pride Night, presented by Sephora, during its game against the Phoenix Mercury. The June 27 event will recognize 2SLGBTQ+ fans, athletes, and creators, with exclusive merchandise designed by Peau de Loup and Round21.
Families and young basketball players will have their own spotlight during Youth Jam on May 30, when the Seattle Storm visit Toronto for an afternoon focused on inspiring the next generation of fans and athletes.
Basketball culture itself will be celebrated on July 8 with SLAM Night, a partnership with the iconic basketball publication that will highlight the fashion, storytelling, and creativity surrounding the sport.
The Tempo will take their inaugural season on the road for two special Canadian showcases. The Cross-Canada Seriesheads to Montreal for games against the Dallas Wings on July 10 and the New York Liberty on July 12, bringing WNBA action to Quebec.
Later in the summer, the Canada Series shifts west to Vancouver, where the Tempo will face the Portland Fire on August 21 and the Las Vegas Aces on August 23, continuing the organization’s effort to connect with basketball fans across the country.
Canadian basketball will be front and center on July 17 during Homegrown Hoops Night, presented by Canada Basketball. The matchup against the Atlanta Dream will recognize the players, coaches, and communities that have helped grow the game from grassroots programs to the national level.
The schedule also includes a Carnival Celebration Game against the Minnesota Lynx on July 30, featuring music, culture, and special merchandise, while Her Health, Her Future Night on September 18 against the Indiana Fever will focus on women’s wellness and empowerment in partnership with CIBC and Women’s College Hospital Foundation.
The regular season wraps up on September 20 with Fan Celebration Night against the defending champion New York Liberty, giving the organization an opportunity to thank supporters after its historic first season.
The Tempo said additional information about in-game entertainment, community initiatives, and exclusive fan experiences will be announced throughout the 2026 season.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Could Make WNBA Attendance History in Montreal
The Toronto Tempo are on the verge of making WNBA history when they bring their Cross-Canada Series to Montreal next month.
The Tempo will face the Atlanta Dream at the Bell Centre on July 10, with the possibility of setting a new attendance record for a WNBA game. If the game sells out, more than 22,000 fans would fill the arena, surpassing the current WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,711 set by the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena in 2024.
A packed Bell Centre would also eclipse the WNBA playoff attendance record of 22,076, which was established during Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals between the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks before being matched in Game 5 of the 2007 WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Detroit Shock. It would mark the largest crowd ever for a professional women’s basketball regular-season game, breaking the previous record of 21,490 set during an Unrivaled game in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The potential milestone comes during the Tempo‘s inaugural WNBA season and would add another chapter to the continued growth of women’s basketball in Canada.
“Playing two games in Montreal this summer is a huge moment for the Tempo and for basketball in Canada,” said Tempo President Teresa Resch. “From the beginning, we’ve said we want to be Canada’s team, and bringing the WNBA to Montreal is an important part of that vision. There is such a strong and passionate basketball community in Quebec, and we’re excited to connect with fans there in a meaningful way. We can’t wait to experience the energy inside the Bell Centre and continue growing the game across the country together.”
The Cross-Canada Series will offer more than basketball. Throughout the weekend, the Tempo will host community events, youth programs and fan experiences aimed at growing the sport across Quebec.
The team is partnering with Ball Her Way and the Mathurin Family Foundation to increase access to basketball for young athletes, including a girls’ 3-on-3 tournament presented by Canadian Tire featuring teams from Montreal and Quebec City. The Tempo say more community investments and programming in the Montreal area will be announced in the coming months.
Fans can take part in Tempo Live at the Bell Centre on July 11. The free event will include interactive basketball activities, community clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly entertainment.
The weekend concludes on July 12, when the Tempo host the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty at the Bell Centre at 3 p.m. ET as part of the Cross-Canada Series.
Tickets for both Montreal games are available through Ticketmaster.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Unveil Bold “Rebel” Uniform Ahead of Inaugural Home Opener
The Toronto Tempo have revealed their new “Rebel” edition uniform, giving fans a first look at the alternate jersey the team will wear during its inaugural WNBA season.
The unveiling comes just ahead of the Tempo’s first-ever home opener and marks another milestone for the league’s newest franchise as it continues to establish its identity on and off the court.
The Rebel uniform is part of the WNBA’s league-wide alternate jersey program, which encourages each franchise to create a design that reflects its values, community, and culture. For the Tempo, that vision extends beyond Toronto.
The front of the jersey features “Tempo” across the chest, reinforcing the organization’s message that, while the club calls Toronto home, it represents basketball fans across Canada. The design is centered around the team’s secondary “T” logo, with speed lines extending outward to symbolize movement, pace, and the style of play the Tempo hope to bring to the court.
The uniform is finished in Borealis Blue, offering a cool contrast to the team’s signature Tempo Bordeaux colour. Flowing lines throughout the shorts are meant to capture the rhythm and motion of basketball, creating a look that emphasizes speed and constant movement.
The jersey also highlights two of the franchise’s founding partners. Beauty retailer Sephora appears on the shoulder, while CIBC’s logo is featured on the front of the jersey.
“The Rebel uniform is where we push boundaries and fully express who we are as the Toronto Tempo,” said Whitney Bell, the team’s Chief Marketing Officer, in a statement. “It’s bold, unapologetic, and rooted in the energy of our city. Every detail is designed to celebrate individuality, creativity, and the next generation of athletes and fans redefining the game. This jersey isn’t just something you wear—it’s a statement about where we’re going.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to get their own. The Toronto Tempo’s Rebel jersey is available now through the team’s online store (shop.torontotempo.com) as excitement continues to build for the franchise’s first season in the WNBA.