The Toronto Tempo set a WNBA regular-season attendance record during a series of games held at Montreal’s Bell Centre this month [1, 3].
The event signals a surge in the popularity of women's professional basketball in Canada. By hosting games outside the U.S., the league is testing the viability of international growth and leveraging the momentum of the Tempo Cross-Canada Series [2, 5].
On July 10, the Toronto Tempo faced the Dallas Wings in front of a record-breaking crowd of 20,996 fans [1, 3]. The Dallas Wings won that contest with a final score of 108-95 [6]. This turnout established a new benchmark for the league's regular-season attendance [1, 3].
The series continued on July 13 with a matchup against the New York Liberty. This second game drew 12,724 fans to the Bell Centre [4]. The Toronto Tempo secured a victory in this contest, defeating the Liberty with a score of 93-91 [5].
Organizers designed the visit to Montreal to build momentum for women's sports across Canada [2, 5]. The use of the Bell Centre provided a large-scale venue capable of supporting the high demand for tickets during the cross-border series [1, 3].
The Tempo's performance and the resulting crowd sizes demonstrate a strong appetite for the WNBA in Quebec. The record-setting attendance on July 10 highlights the potential for future international regular-season scheduling [1, 3].
“A record-breaking crowd of 20,996 fans”
The record-breaking attendance in Montreal suggests that the WNBA's brand has significant untapped market potential in Canada. By successfully filling a major venue like the Bell Centre, the league has provided a data-backed argument for further international expansion or the permanent establishment of Canadian franchises.
