The WNBA officially enters a new era on Wednesday as the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft takes place, with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo set to build their inaugural rosters live on ESPN.
The draft is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and streaming on Fubo, marking a pivotal moment as the league expands to 15 teams ahead of the 2026 season.
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How to Watch 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft
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When: Friday, April 3, 2026
The expansion draft is the first step for new franchises to assemble their rosters. Both Portland and Toronto will select players from existing WNBA teams, who were allowed to protect up to five players each, leaving a deep pool of talent available.
WNBA Draft format includes:
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Up to six picks per team per round
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Ability to select from unprotected players across all current teams
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Each expansion team is allowed to select one unrestricted free agent
This process gives both franchises a foundation before free agency and the 2026 WNBA Draft later this month.
The Portland Fire will be one of the league’s newest franchises, bringing WNBA basketball back to the Pacific Northwest, while the Toronto Tempo becomes the first WNBA team based in Canada.
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Both teams enter with different roster-building strategies:
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Portland is expected to prioritize a mix of veterans and immediate contributors
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Toronto may lean toward younger, high-upside players as it builds for the future
With only five players protected per team, several notable contributors and rotation players across the league are expected to be available, making this one of the deepest expansion drafts in recent memory.
The expansion draft is critical to shaping the competitive balance of the league. With the success of recent expansion efforts setting a higher standard, both Portland and Toronto have an opportunity to build competitive rosters right away.
This event also signals continued growth for the WNBA, expanding its footprint geographically and increasing its talent pool heading into the 2026 season.
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