Groundbreaking Guide To The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft

The WNBA is growing, and the league’s landscape is about to shift in a massive way. For the first time since 2000, basketball fans are gearing up for a multi-team expansion draft. The Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo are officially entering the mix, and they need to build their inaugural rosters from the ground up.

This is a monumental moment for the league. Existing franchises are scrambling to protect their core talent, while the two new front offices prepare to select the veteran players who will set the tone for their brand-new locker rooms. The decisions made during this event will ripple throughout the league, impacting everything from team chemistry to the upcoming free-agency period.

If you want to understand how the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will construct their teams, you need to know exactly how this draft operates. We will explain the rules, the format, and the strategic choices both teams are making before they even go on the clock.

How the WNBA Expansion Draft Works

The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft officially tips off on Friday, April 3 at 3:30 pm. ET. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN or stream it through partner platforms.

The league will use a two-round, snake format to allocate players. This means the team that selects first in the opening round will pick second in the following round. Each of the two new franchises will walk away with up to 12 total selections—six in the first round and six in the second. This gives both Portland and Toronto a solid veteran foundation before they look toward incoming rookies.

The Coin Toss Strategy

Every draft requires a starting point, and the WNBA used a coin toss to determine who would control the board. The Portland Fire got the number one overall pick in the expansion draft. Toronto, on the other hand, went a different route. By winning the coin toss they chose to instead of taking the top expansion pick, they opted to secure the No. 6 overall pick in the traditional 2026 WNBA Draft.

Roster Rules and Player Protections

The 13 existing WNBA franchises are not simply handing over their entire benches. The league has established strict guidelines to maintain competitive balance.

Each current team is allowed to protect up to five players on their roster. Anyone left unprotected is officially fair game for Portland and Toronto. This forces general managers across the league to make incredibly tough decisions. They must weigh the value of keeping proven veterans against holding onto younger players with highly controllable contracts.

There are also specific rules regarding unrestricted free agents. Players who have completed their contracts and have five or more years of league service are eligible to be drafted. However, Portland and Toronto are restricted to selecting only one of these potential unrestricted free agents each.

What This Means for the League

The immediate impact of the expansion draft is obvious: two brand-new teams get their players. But the ripple effects are much deeper.

The players selected on April 3 will heavily influence how both the Fire and the Tempo approach the traditional WNBA Draft on April 13. Furthermore, these expansion picks are highly valuable trade assets. Teams might select certain unprotected players specifically to flip them in secondary deals, securing future draft capital or negotiating rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players can each expansion team pick?

Both the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo can make up to 12 total selections. They will pick six players per round, alternating back and forth in a snake format.

Can an expansion team take multiple players from one existing team?

Yes, but there are strict limits. An expansion franchise can only take one player from a specific existing team per round. Across the entire two-round draft, they can select a maximum of two players from any single existing WNBA team.

When Is the WNBA Expansion Draft?

Friday, April 3 at 3:30 pm ET

Preparing for the Next Chapter

The 2026 Expansion Draft is the formal starting line for the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. As the WNBA continues its incredible growth under the new collective bargaining agreement, this draft will set the competitive tone for years to come.

Tune into ESPN on April 3 to see exactly who will be wearing the first jerseys for Portland and Toronto. After the broadcast, keep a close eye on the transaction wire. The WNBA Draft follows just ten days later, and the moves made here will absolutely shape the blockbuster trades and free-agent signings of the offseason.