Tempo: How young stars grow will be vital to team’s future

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 21, 2026

The Toronto Tempo finished their first WNBA season with strong attendance records, including a league-best 20,996 fans at a game in Montreal, highlighting significant fan interest across Canada. Despite on-court struggles, the development of promising rookies like Kristina Juskaite and Kiki Rice offers hope for the franchise’s competitive future and the growth of women’s professional basketball in the country.

The Toronto Tempo concluded their inaugural WNBA season drawing significant attention, with strong attendance figures marking a promising start for the franchise. The team averaged 10,828 fans per home game at Coca-Cola Coliseum, consistently selling out the venue. This enthusiasm also extended to games played outside Toronto, underscoring a broader appetite for professional women’s basketball in Canada.

Toronto hosted two games in Montreal, with the first matchup at the Bell Centre setting a WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,996 spectators. A second game in Montreal drew 12,724 fans. The Tempo also held three contests at Scotiabank Arena, attracting crowds of 15,687, 18,145, and 19,300, including a notable appearance by Indiana Fever’s star Caitlin Clark. In Vancouver, the team played twice, with audiences of 12,414 and 15,877 respectively.

While robust fan support has been a highlight, the Tempo’s on-court performance reflected ongoing challenges. As the season winds down, questions linger over whether sustained attendance can be maintained if the team continues to struggle with losses. Team health remains a concern, but development of younger players is seen as crucial for building a competitive future.

Rookies like Kristina Juskaite and Kiki Rice have shown encouraging progress. Rice scored 19 points against the New York Liberty, demonstrating her offensive potential. Juskaite, a 28-year-old from Lithuania, was the only Tempo player to appear in all 42 games this season, emphasizing her durability and consistency.

Head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve Brondello acknowledged the importance of these emerging talents. “They’re the kind of players you want to build around, don’t you? Because they take pride in being the best that they could be,” she said.

The Tempo’s inaugural campaign concludes with road games against the Chicago Sky on Tuesday and the Connecticut Sun on Thursday. The team and its growing fan base will be watching closely to see how Toronto’s young stars develop and whether the WNBA’s expansion into Canada will establish a lasting foothold in the region.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.