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Toronto Tempo Kia Nurse (11) drives past Connecticut Sun Taylor Bigby (2) during second half pre-season WNBA basketball action in Toronto on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
By The Canadian Press

Toronto Tempo set for historic first regular-season WNBA game

May 8, 2026 | 1:01 AM

TORONTO — History will be made tonight when the Toronto Tempo host the Washington Mystics in their first-ever regular-season game.

Toronto is one of two expansion teams joining the WNBA for its 30th season, coming in alongside the Portland Fire.

Kia Nurse headlines the Tempo squad, and while the veteran guard hails from nearby Hamilton, Ont., she says she’s treating the team’s debut as “just another basketball game.”

Toronto added Kentucky forward Teonni Key and UCLA guard Kiki Rice to the roster at the draft.

Head coach Sandy Brondello says she’s eager to see what her players can do when the ball meets the court at Coca-Cola Coliseum.

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Local MP attending Defence and Aerospace Conference in Turkey
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Toronto will play 44 games during its inaugural season, including two at Montreal’s Bell Centre in July and two at Rogers Arena in Vancouver in August.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

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What Matters

Cycling from Okanagan to Van Isle
Police asking for help locating missing man
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Stage 2 Restrictions
Water restrictions enhanced for Greater Vernon due to storage concerns
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international security discussions
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14h ago
Ban on Category 3, 2 Open Burning
Vernon, Coldstream implementing fire bans Thursday
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Water Supply Monitoring
Reservoirs being monitored as snowpacks, precipitation levels remain low
May 06, 2026