The Toronto Tempo has unveiled its first-ever jerseys, marking a major milestone as Canada prepares to welcome its inaugural WNBA franchise ahead of the 2026 season.
Revealed on December 16, the uniforms represent the first time the Tempo brand has been applied to on-court apparel. The designs introduce a clean, modern look rooted in Toronto’s identity while reflecting the pace, rhythm, and community-driven spirit of the city and the game of basketball.
Design Inspired by the City and Its Fans
The jerseys feature the team’s signature colours — Borealis Blue and Tempo Bordeaux — alongside the Tempo’s distinctive six speed lines. According to the organization, the lines symbolize Toronto’s six boroughs, the five players on the court, and the sixth player behind every possession: the fans.
The varying thickness and motion of the speed lines are designed to mirror shifts in momentum, heartbeat, and tempo — a visual nod to basketball’s natural flow and the energy of the city itself.
“Every detail of these uniforms is intentional,” said Whitney Bell, Chief Marketing Officer of the Toronto Tempo. “From the colour story to the speed lines, we’ve created a design that brings our brand to life and represents our city, our fans, and our team.”
Two Jerseys, One Statement
The reveal includes two official jerseys for the team’s inaugural season:
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WNBA Nike Heroine Edition (White)
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WNBA Nike Explorer Edition (Tempo Bordeaux)
The Explorer Edition features a deep Bordeaux colourway that the team describes as fashion-forward and unique across the league, designed to extend the Tempo’s presence beyond the court and into lifestyle culture.
The Explorer jersey will be available for fans to purchase beginning January 2026.
Founding Partners and Community Impact
The jerseys also feature patches from the Tempo’s founding partners, Sephora Canada and CIBC. Sephora’s logo will appear on the shoulder, while CIBC’s patch will be placed on the abdomen.
To mark the jersey launch, Sephora Canada will donate $26 for each of the first 1,000 jerseys sold to Girls E-Mentorship, supporting leadership and professional development for high school girls facing socioeconomic barriers.
“Our partnership with Toronto Tempo is rooted in shared beliefs of inclusivity, self-expression, and the growing cultural impact of women’s sports in Canada,” said Allison Litzinger, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Sephora Canada.
CIBC will also celebrate the launch by offering fans a chance to win a courtside experience during the Tempo’s inaugural season. Fans who register for jersey on-sale updates will receive contest details first.
“At CIBC, our purpose is to help make ambitions real,” said Andrew Greenlaw, Senior Vice President, Brand, Community Investment and Client Experience at CIBC. “We’re proud to cheer on the Toronto Tempo as the journey to opening tip-off in May 2026 continues.”
Canada’s First WNBA Team Takes Shape
The Toronto Tempo was awarded a WNBA expansion franchise in May 2024, becoming the league’s first team based outside the United States. Owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures, the Tempo will begin play in the 2026 season as the WNBA’s 14th franchise.
Fans can sign up at torontotempo.com to be notified when the Explorer jersey goes on sale.
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