Oh, Canada! You read that right. The league announced on Wednesday it will play its first-ever WNBA exhibition game between the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx on May 13 in Toronto. It will take place at Scotiabank Arena, home to the Toronto Raptors and the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. Many have questioned whether there will be an expansion to the league. However, this is a good sign that the league is heading in the right direction. It might not be an expansion team per se, but it is baby steps.
Chicago vs. Minnesota
This will be the first WNBA preseason game in Canada. The 2021 champions Chicago Sky vs. the four-time WNBA champions Minnesota Lynx will face off in what should be a thrilling game. It’s an important game for all parties, including the league. This will show growth for the league and potentially gain new viewers. Also, free agency chaos has commenced and depending on where the big-name free agents end up will determine the success of this game, in my opinion. Will Candace Parker stay in Chicago? Will Courtney Vandersloot go to Minnesota? Free agency officially started yesterday and many trades have happened before Jan. 21; however, no news of the superstars deciding where they are taking their talents has come out as of yet.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Sky President and CEO Adam Fox and Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve have spoken about the importance of this historic game.
Bringing a WNBA preseason game to Canada is an important milestone for the global growth of the league, said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. 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.
The Chicago Sky are thrilled to have the opportunity to play the first ever preseason game in Toronto, Canada and share the excitement of the WNBA with our friends up North, said Sky President and CEO Adam Fox.
We are looking forward to participating in this historic game for the WNBA, said Lynx Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve. The league’s global popularity has shown incredible growth, and I am pleased our team will be a part of continuing to pave the path for the WNBA by bringing our game to Canada.
This is not the only global game that the WNBA has had. This will be the third preseason game; in 2004, the Detroit Shock and San Antonio Silver Stars met in Monterrey, Mexico. In 2011 the Atlanta Dream played the Standard Life Great Britain Women’s basketball team in Manchester, England.
For ticket information on this game per the league:
Ticket information and the start time for the WNBA Canada Game will be announced in the near future. Fans in Canada can register to be notified of event information and presale ticket access at WNBACanadaGame.com. The game will be broadcast live in Canada on Sportsnet and TSN. And available to fans in the U.S. on WNBA League Pass.
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