WNBA Expansion Draft Results: Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo Build Inaugural Rosters

The Sporting News tracks the live selections as the league's two newest franchises stock their teams.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:10pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of bright blue, orange, and silver, conceptually representing the dynamic energy and multi-faceted nature of a WNBA basketball game.The WNBA's expansion to 15 teams ushers in a new era of growth and opportunity for the league and its players.Portland Today

The WNBA's expansion era continues as the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo build their inaugural rosters through the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft. The two new franchises will alternate selections from a designated pool of unprotected players from the league's 13 current teams. The Sporting News is tracking the live results as the Fire and Tempo shape their rosters ahead of the 2026 season tip-off.

Why it matters

The WNBA's expansion to 15 teams marks a significant milestone for the league, providing more opportunities for elite women's basketball talent to showcase their skills on the professional stage. The Expansion Draft is a crucial first step for Portland and Toronto to assemble competitive rosters and establish their identities within the WNBA landscape.

The details

Over two rounds, the Fire and Tempo will have up to 12 total selections, with a maximum of two players allowed from each current WNBA team. Any unprotected player with five or more years of WNBA service and no contract for 2026 is considered a 'Potential Unrestricted Free Agent,' and each expansion team can select one such player who will then be eligible for a supermax offer. Prior to the draft, Portland and Toronto also engaged in separate trade agreements with the Chicago Sky, acquiring additional draft picks in exchange for not selecting any Sky players.

  • The WNBA Expansion Draft begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • The 2026 WNBA Draft will take place on April 13, 2026.
  • The 2026 WNBA regular season tips off on May 8, 2026.

The players

Portland Fire

One of two new WNBA franchises set to debut in the 2026 season, the Portland Fire will build its inaugural roster through the Expansion Draft.

Toronto Tempo

The other new WNBA franchise for 2026, the Toronto Tempo, will also select players in the Expansion Draft to form its first-ever roster.

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What they’re saying

“This is a pivotal moment for the WNBA as we welcome two new franchises and continue to grow the game of women's basketball. The Expansion Draft is an exciting opportunity for these teams to build competitive rosters and make their mark on the league.”

— Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner

“We're thrilled to be part of the WNBA's expansion and can't wait to see the talent that Portland and Toronto select to represent their new teams. This is a great day for the league and the sport of women's basketball.”

— Candace Parker, WNBA Legend and Analyst

What’s next

Following the Expansion Draft, the Fire and Tempo will continue to build their rosters through the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13, where they will have additional opportunities to select top collegiate talent.

The takeaway

The WNBA's expansion to 15 teams marks an exciting new chapter for the league, providing more platforms for elite women's basketball players to showcase their skills and grow the sport's fanbase. The Expansion Draft is a crucial first step for Portland and Toronto to assemble competitive rosters and establish their identities within the WNBA landscape.