Friday, October 16, 2026

WNBA Announces First Regular-Season International Game in Vancouver

The WNBA has played four preseason games outside the U.S.

Sep 24, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) looks to drive past Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The WNBA announced its first-ever regular-season international game will be played in Vancouver in August 2025.

The Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm will play in the third WNBA Canada Game on Aug. 15 at Rogers Arena. The 2023 Toronto and 2024 Edmonton games, which both sold out, were held during the preseason. The Storm lost to the Los Angeles Sparks 84–79 in that Edmonton game. The WNBA also played international preseason games in Mexico in 2004 and England in 2011.

Vancouver will hold the record over Toronto, the first Canadian city to win a bid for a WNBA team. The newly minted Toronto Tempo are set to begin play the following season.

“As we prepare to establish permanent roots in Canada with a Toronto franchise, this game and our year-round engagement efforts are a nod to the incredible momentum around women’s basketball in Canada,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.

One-off international games have become big moneymakers for other professional sports leagues, including the NBA and NFL, so much so that the football giant is considering doubling the number of games and selling a separate $1 billion international media-rights package. Even women’s college basketball has for the past two years begun its season in Paris.

The matchup is scheduled for a Friday night, which during the regular season is typically when all WNBA games air on Ion. The exact broadcast schedule won’t be confirmed until the spring, a league spokesperson says.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Troy Aikman
Exclusive

Troy Aikman, Dolphins Have No Ongoing Consulting Agreement

Aikman’s official role ended with the coach and GM searches.
Aug 3, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream partner Renee Montgomery watches a game against the Washington Mystics in the second quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Renee Montgomery: Moving Finals Games Was a ‘Group Project’

Montgomery didn’t confirm whether Game 6 would be played at State Farm Arena.

Jags Eye First London Sweep As U.K. Future Remains Uncertain

The Jaguars host the Texans after beating the Eagles.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine delivers a statement condemning the death penalty during a news conference at his office in Columbus on June 16, 2026.

NCAA Sues Ohio Governor Over Fifth-Year Eligibility Order

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the executive order Tuesday.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/16/26 – Aikman Eyes Free Agency, CFP Nears 24 Teams, Stoudemire Becomes Cop

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.

NBA’s In-Game Wearables Push Hinges on How Data Is Used

Adam Silver acknowledges concerns about data being used in contract negotiations.
October 16, 2026

EuroLeague Sets $9B Valuation Target in 10-Year Plan

The league’s “value is growing very rapidly,” its CFO said.
October 16, 2026

FIFA to Reconsider Peace Prize After Trump Received Inaugural Award

FIFA’s Football Social Responsibility Committee will assess the prize’s future.
Sponsored

The State of AI in Sports 2026

Front Office Sports and Teamworks reveal how AI is reshaping sports in the first industry-wide report on adoption, investment, and impact.
October 15, 2026

Small-Market Brewers Clinch First NL Pennant

Milwaukee is advancing to its first World Series since 1982.
October 15, 2026

WNBA Finals Ticket Prices Soar Above Last Year’s Levels

The get-in price for Game 1 in San Francisco is over $200.
October 15, 2026

Charley Hull: LPGA Needs to ‘Show More Personalities’

The Englishwoman has one of the sport’s largest social media followings.
October 15, 2026

Jon Rahm’s LIV Settlement Forfeits All Remaining Payments

Rahm earned more than $106 million in prize and bonus money with LIV.