Over the weekend, the WNBA hosted its first game in Canada, pitting the Minnesota Lynx and Chicago Sky against each other at the Scotiabank Arena. The Sky, led by Kahleah Copper, averaged 18 points en route to an 82-74 win. In addition, other historical things happened in the game. Bridget Carleton played on home soil as the only Canadian with playing time. Sky’s Courtney Williams scored the first basket in Canada. The first WNBA-3 pointer in the Land of the North was sunk by Lynx’s Dana Evans.
None of this, however, was more important than the sell-out crowd at the first game of the WNBA in Canada. With 19,923 fans in the stadium, it had the most preseason attendance of all time as well as the most watched WNBA preseason game. Business was also good for the league. The goods in the arena were almost sold out and 98% of them were bought. Internationally, there was a 506% increase in merchandise sales compared to last year’s sales.
This proves that Canadian fans are more than ready for and already clamoring for a WNBA expansion team. The in-person attendees poured their energy into making Scotiabank Arena feel alive, as seen in viral clips and tweets.
Story.
Canada’s first WNBA game is set and it was fun as Chicago beat Minnesota.
If it wasn’t clear yet, then it will be for sure after this weekend. The interest is there. The support is there. If Toronto doesn’t have a team in the next five years I’d be shocked pic.twitter.com/4y7DIiOK5j
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 13, 2023
Final numbers from Canada’s first WNBA game:
With 19,923 fans, it was the most-attended WNBA preseason game in history
98% of in-arena merchandise was purchased and online sales increased 506% year-over-year.
Big Numbers. Toronto has shown and they are ready for a team
— Samson Folk (the trainer) (@samfolkk) May 15, 2023
Breaking News: The first WNBA game to be played in Canada sets records for attendance, viewership and merchandise sales. We made it!! How long do we have to wait now? 🤔 19,923 fans is a record for the most watched preseason WNBA game and the second most watched WNBA game of all time.
— Aneela (@WHoopsBlogger) May 15, 2023
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, through The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch, confirmed that Toronto is one of the finalists potentially getting an expansion team. The shortlist of cities includes the Bay Area, Portland, Nashville, Charlotte, Denver and Austin. In this case, Canada would now be home to three teams and would join the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and the G League’s Raptors 905.