Edmonton fans are excited for Saturday’s historic pre-season game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm, which will be only the second time a WNBA game is played on Canadian soil. The game aims to showcase the league and its players in order to inspire a new generation of fans. Prior to the game, over 70 young basketball fans participated in a skills clinic led by women for kids aged 12 to 17 at the MacEwan University Sport & Wellness Centre. Participants expressed their enthusiasm for the event and the desire for more basketball opportunities in Alberta, including more WNBA and NBA games in the region.
Canadian player Kia Nurse, who plays guard for the Los Angeles Sparks, offered words of encouragement to the young fans, emphasizing the importance of hard work, learning, and having fun in the gym. Nurse, who previously played for the Storm, had a successful season with averages of 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 40 games last year. In addition to Nurse, participants also had the opportunity to learn from WNBA legend Tammy Sutton-Brown, who highlighted the importance of providing younger players with opportunities to get closer to the game. The inaugural WNBA Canada Game last season was a success, setting records for broadcast viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales in Canada.
Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd emphasized the impact of building the fan base in Canada and connecting people through sports. The growth of women’s professional sports in Canada, with women’s basketball becoming a normal presence on screens and in cities, is seen as an exciting prospect for the future. Toronto is reportedly under consideration for WNBA expansion, pending the finding of the right ownership group. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned that Golden State would be the only expansion team for 2025, but the league is hopeful for more franchises in the 2026 season. This game in Edmonton will mark the fourth WNBA pre-season game outside of the U.S., following games in Manchester, England, in 2011, and Monterrey, Mexico, in 2004.
Overall, the event in Edmonton is seen as a positive step in growing the WNBA’s fan base and increasing interest in women’s professional sports in Canada. The participation of young fans in the skills clinic and the opportunity to learn from WNBA players and legends highlights the potential for inspiring the next generation of basketball players and fans. The success of the previous WNBA Canada Game in Toronto and the potential for future expansion to cities like Toronto show the growing popularity of the league in Canada. The excitement surrounding the game in Edmonton reflects the passion for basketball and the desire for more opportunities to showcase top-level women’s basketball in the country.
