TORONTO, Mar. 7, 2024 – The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced that the second WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine will feature the Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm playing a preseason game on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.
The four-time WNBA champion Storm currently features 2023 WNBA scoring leader and AT&T WNBA All-Star Game MVP Jewell Loyd, 2023 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team member Ezi Magbegor, and newest additions through free agency, eight-time WNBA All-Star Nneka Ogwumike and six-time WNBA All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith.
The three-time WNBA champion Sparks currently feature WNBA All-Star Layshia Clarendon, 2022 WNBA Champion and two-time Kia WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Dearica Hamby and recently acquired Canadian star Kia Nurse (Hamilton, ON). One of the original eight WNBA franchises, Los Angeles owns the second and fourth overall first-round picks in the upcoming 2024 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm scheduled for Monday, April 15.
Tickets for the 2024 WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine will go on general sale March 20 at ticketmaster.ca. Fans in Canada can register to be notified of presale ticket access at WNBACanadaGame.com. Broadcast details and the start time for the 2024 WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine will be announced in the near future. Additional supporting partners of the 2024 WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine include the Canadian Tire Corporation and Explore Edmonton.
The 2024 WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine will be the second preseason WNBA game to ever be played in Canada and the fourth preseason WNBA game outside of the United States, following previous games in Toronto, ON (2023); Manchester, England (2011) and Monterrey, Mexico (2004).
The inaugural WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine saw the Chicago Sky defeat the Minnesota Lynx 82-74 in front of a sold-out crowd at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The preseason game set records for broadcast viewership, attendance and merchandise sales in Canada. The WNBA is also coming off its most-watched regular season in 21 years. Viewership for the 2023 season across the league’s national television partners in the U.S. and Canada was up 21 and 32 percent, respectively, over the 2022 season. The league also set new highs across WNBA digital platforms and social media engagement.
For more information, fans in Canada can follow the NBA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X and the WNBA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. Official WNBA merchandise is available at the NBA/WNBA Store in Canada at NBAStore.ca.
Executive Quotes:
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert:
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring the Sparks and Storm to Edmonton after last year’s historic game in Toronto, which showcased the incredible momentum around women’s basketball across Canada. Fans, partners and communities across the country embraced the WNBA, setting records for viewership, merchandise sales and attendance, and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to once again showcase our league in a city with a rich sporting legacy and indelible ties to basketball through the Edmonton Grads and Canadian Women’s National Basketball Team.”
Tangerine President & CEO Gillian Riley:
“As foundational partner of the WNBA in Canada, we're thrilled to be part of the growth of the game for women and to welcome this second showing of the WNBA Canada Game, this year in Edmonton. If last year showed us anything, it’s that fans in Canada are amped to support women’s sports – and so are we at Tangerine! We can't wait to cheer on WNBA basketball for another year as we move the game forward, together."
Los Angeles Sparks Co-Owner Magic Johnson:
“One of Canada’s greatest basketball players, Sparks guard Kia Nurse, is returning to play in front of her Canadian fans as my Los Angeles Sparks take on the Seattle Storm in this year’s WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine. Showcasing some of the league’s top talent in Canada is a great opportunity to continue building dedicated WNBA fans outside of the U.S. Last year’s game was a sellout and I expect nothing less for the Sparks versus Storm!”
Seattle Storm Head Coach Noelle Quinn:
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of the WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine and showcase the incredible talent in the WNBA in Edmonton. I’ve been honored to work with the Canadian senior women’s national team and witness firsthand how Canada continues to be out front when it comes to advocating for women and investing in women’s sports. This game represents the growth of women’s basketball both in Canada and on a global stage.”
City of Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi:
“Sports teams from around the world know that Edmonton fans cheer the loudest, and I am excited for the Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks and WNBA to experience the excitement in Edmonton for themselves! This game is another entry in Edmonton’s long history of celebrating women's basketball, which includes the Edmonton Grads who continue to hold the North American record for the women's sports team with the best winning percentage. I am excited that Edmonton has the chance to showcase our amazing city, facilities and community spirit as we host this world class sporting event."
President and Chief Operating Officer, Rogers Place and ICE District, Stuart Ballantyne:
“We are thrilled to welcome the WNBA and basketball fans from across the country back to ICE District, Canada’s largest sports and entertainment district. Fans are still talking about the NBA preseason game in 2022, and we look forward to hosting more of the world’s most elite basketball stars from the Los Angeles Sparks, including Canada’s own Kia Nurse, and Seattle Storm at Rogers Place in May for another unforgettable experience.”