By: Jennifer Portee
3/26/2026
The WNBA’s newest franchises are about to make their first major moves. The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will begin assembling their inaugural rosters when the league holds its 2026 Expansion Draft on April 3, televised on ESPN.
Before the draft, a coin toss on Friday will decide which team gains the first pick or a higher selection in the upcoming collegiate draft on April 13. The winner will choose between picking first in the two-round, snake style expansion draft or holding the No. 6 overall pick in the collegiate draft instead of No. 7.
By Sunday, the league’s 13 existing teams must submit their protected player lists, naming up to five players who cannot be selected. All other players will be available as unprotected, though each expansion team may select only one “potential unrestricted free agent.”
Portland, led by former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Alex Sarama, and Toronto, coached by WNBA veteran Sandy Brondello, will alternate selections while acquiring each chosen player’s contract or negotiating rights.
The expansion follows the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, which introduced enhanced player compensation, longer seasons, and expanded resources. With the addition of Portland and Toronto, the league now features 15 teams.
The Fire and Tempo follow in the footsteps of the Golden State Valkyries, who reached the playoffs in their inaugural 2025 season raising expectations that this year’s newcomers could make a similar impact.