FanDuel announced on Tuesday that the sports betting and casino company has become the first Canadian iGaming partner of the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo.
The Tempo, founded in December, will play its inaugural game against the Washington Mystics on the WNBA’s opening day on May 8.
Key Takeaways
- FanDuel already has a string of relationships in women’s sports and in Canada.
- The partnership will lead to engagements and initiatives for fans and customers.
- WNBA viewership reached an all-time high last season.
The multi-year agreement between the sports betting and online casino giant and one of the WNBA’s new franchises will bring it even closer to Canadian users and fans of women’s basketball.
“Partnering with the Toronto Tempo in their inaugural season is an exciting opportunity for FanDuel customers and basketball fans,” said Tom Burdakin, FanDuel’s vice president of marketing, in a release. “As a company that shares the same passion for community and empowering women's sports, we are proud to support a new franchise that will celebrate fans and elevate women’s professional sports in Canada.”
The WNBA experienced a huge surge in popularity in recent years. The 2025 season set a 27-year record, with games on ESPN increasing 6% year-over-year and averaging 1.3 million viewers. Viewers under 18 were up 30% year-over-year.
With sports betting and casino gambling also on the rise, the partnership blends the experiences of two growing industries into one.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account“One word to describe this partnership is transformative,” said Lisa Ferkul, Chief Revenue Officer of the Toronto Tempo. “Welcoming FanDuel marks a significant milestone for our organization as we continue to build Canada’s first WNBA team and deepen fan engagement.”
FanDuel expands in Canada, women’s sports
With the WNBA season just around the corner, fans will be able to “engage in more ways than any other platform from tip-off to buzzer” through the partnership between FanDuel and the Tempo.
Both sides will sponsor exclusive engagements for fans and FanDuel customers. FanDuel will also be allowed to advertise its brand inside the arena and through digital activations that bring fans closer to the league on and off the court.
FanDuel has a strong presence in Canada. On top of being a popular destination for iGaming users in Ontario, it is affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), and Toronto Argonauts (CFL).
It has also shown a commitment to women’s sports. It has been an official partner of the WNBA since 2022, and it became one of the first official sportsbook partners of the Professional Women’s Hockey League across Canada and the U.S. in late 2024.
Additionally, FanDuel became the first official sports betting partner of The Sports Network (TSN), starting in Ontario, and is growing its presence throughout the province.
Tempo season odds and expectations
The Tempo is one of two teams that will play their first WNBA season in 2026, alongside the Portland Fire.
The Fire are tied for the longest WNBA Finals odds in the entire league at +50,000. The Tempo aren’t far off, but they are above four other teams and tied for 11th in odds at +12,500. That’s impressive, considering expansion teams fill out their rosters from players left unprotected by other teams in the league.
THE FIRST EVER 1ST RD DRAFT PICK IN TORONTO TEMPO HISTORY, KIKI RICE 💯#WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/tJPpqmeJAW
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) April 13, 2026
Home games will be played at Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
