Mississauga's Laeticia Amihere is set to lead the Atlanta Dream in a game against the Seattle Storm on August 15, 2025, in Vancouver. This marks the third WNBA game to take place in Canada, following preseason matches in Edmonton and Toronto back in 2023. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images/File)
Vancouver is set to make sports history next summer by hosting the first-ever WNBA regular-season game played outside the United States. On August 15, the Atlanta Dream will face off against the Seattle Storm at Rogers Arena, marking a groundbreaking moment for basketball in Canada.
This game comes 10 months before the Toronto Tempo, a newly announced expansion team, begins play in the 2026 season. The WNBA’s decision to bring a regular-season game to Vancouver is seen as a significant step in expanding the league’s global reach and fostering basketball’s growing popularity in Canada.
Canada has already witnessed the excitement of WNBA exhibition games, with events held in Edmonton on May 5, 2023, and in Toronto on May 13, 2023. These games attracted enthusiastic fans and showcased the immense potential for professional women’s basketball in the country.
The Atlanta Dream heads into the game fresh from their second consecutive playoff run in 2024. Their roster boasts standout players like Laeticia Amihere, a rising star from Mississauga, Ontario, and Tina Charles, the league’s 2022 Rookie of the Year.
On the other hand, the Seattle Storm brings a legacy of excellence, including four WNBA championships. Fresh off their 25th anniversary season and 19th playoff appearance, the team features an all-star lineup led by Nneka Ogwumike, the league’s 2016 MVP and nine-time all-star. Other key players include Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith, celebrated talents in the league.
This highly anticipated event highlights the WNBA’s commitment to expanding its audience and promoting women’s sports globally. It also builds excitement for the league’s upcoming 2025 season, which will tip off on May 16.
