WNBA 2026 Expansion Draft Set to Establish New Franchise Rosters
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is scheduled to conduct its 2026 expansion draft on Friday. This event will establish the initial rosters for the two new franchises, the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. The draft follows the negotiation of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the league and the players' union.
The 2026 expansion draft will provide the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire the opportunity to build their foundational rosters.
Draft Purpose and Timeline
The 2026 expansion draft will provide the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire the opportunity to build their foundational rosters. This process is set to occur approximately five weeks prior to the commencement of the WNBA season.
Draft Mechanics
Players for the new Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire teams will be selected from a pool made available by the WNBA's 13 existing teams. The draft will operate in a two-round, snake-draft format. This methodology aligns with the process utilized by the Golden State Valkyries in the previous year to select their inaugural roster.
Context
The expansion draft is taking place during the WNBA offseason, following the recent negotiation of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.