Two new WNBA teams are hitting the court, as 2026 expansion sides Toronto and Portland open their preseason campaigns tonight.
The squads are looking to both shape identities and cull training camp lineups into final rosters, as the Tempo hosts Connecticut and the Fire visits Seattle just nine days before regular-season tipoff.
“When you put a team together, you just want to make sure the puzzle fits,” said Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello. “Figuring out how they all work together — every year it gets harder and harder.”
Toronto has taken an aggressive market approach, signing Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes to big contracts while picking up Nyara Sabally, Julie Allemande, and 2026 NCAA champion Kiki Rice via expansion and college drafts.
Portland's roster appears more unfinished, expected to lean on premier signings Bridget Carleton and Megan Gustafson to lead the young, hungry group.
“It’s going to take time, and it’s going to be messy at the beginning,” Fire head coach Alex Sarama said. “[But] it’s going to allow us to get to a point which we will never be able to get to if we’re just playing scripted, rigid basketball.”
How to Watch Toronto Tempo & Portland Fire in WNBA Preseason
The Tempo tips off against the Sun at 7 PM ET, before the Fire faces the Storm at 10 PM ET, live on WNBA League Pass.
