The second annual WNBA Canada Game will feature the Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm playing a preseason game on May 5, 2024, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, the second consecutive year a game has been played north of the border.
The 2024 WNBA Canada Game will be the fourth preseason WNBA game outside of the United States following previous games in Toronto (2023), Manchester, England (2011) and Monterrey, Mexico (2004). The inaugural WNBA Canada Game in 2023 saw the Chicago Sky defeat the Minnesota Lynx 82–74 in front of a sold-out crowd at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring the Sparks and Storm to Edmonton after last year’s historic game in Toronto,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “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.”
The four-time WNBA champion Storm features 2023 scoring leader and All-Star Game MVP Jewell Loyd, 2023 All-Defensive Second Team member Ezi Magbegor and two major additions through free agency in eight-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike and six-time All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith.
“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,” said Storm coach Noelle Quinn. “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.”
The three-time WNBA champion Sparks include All-Star Layshia Clarendon, 2022 champion and two-time Sixth Player of the Year Dearica Hamby and recently acquired Canadian star Kia Nurse. One of the original eight WNBA franchises, Los Angeles owns the second and fourth overall first-round picks in the upcoming draft on April 15.
“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.,” said Sparks Co-Owner Magic Johnson. “Last year’s game was a sellout and I expect nothing less for the Sparks versus Storm.”