Women’s sports teams to watch in Ontario

Ice hockey

Ice hockey is a staple in Canadian culture. 

Ontario is home to two National Hockey League (NHL) teams: the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. 

Women’s ice hockey is quickly gaining popularity, with leagues like the Professional Women’s Hockey League featuring top talent from across Canada. 

Professional Women’s Hockey League

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) represents ice hockey teams in the United States and Canada. 

The league has inspired promising women athletes throughout Ontario to chase their dreams in sports. The rise of the PWHL is creating a new era for women’s ice hockey in Ontario, promoting inclusivity and empowering the next generation of players.

Eight teams compete in the league, including Ontario’s PWHL Ottawa Charge and PWHL Toronto Sceptres. The season typically runs from November through to May or April, with playoffs for the Walter Cup.

Catch the Toronto team at Coca-Cola Coliseum or the Ottawa team at TD Place by purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster. 

Soccer

It’s an exciting time to be a soccer fan in Ontario.

Women’s soccer is attracting attention from fans and players across the province as more girls and women are participating in the sport. 

Northern Super League

The Northern Super League (NSL) is Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league, founded by Olympic medalist and professional former soccer player Diana Matheson. The league includes six teams from major Canadian cities.

The Ontario teams participating in the NSL are Ottawa Rapid FC and AFC Toronto. 

Purchase tickets online. Fans will also be able to view or listen to the games on TSN, CBC Sports and Radio-Canada. 

Basketball

While the Toronto Raptors have captured the hearts of basketball fans from across Canada, the arrival of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in Toronto motivates a new generation of players. 

As more young athletes take to the court, the future of women’s basketball in Ontario looks bright. 

Women’s National Basketball Association

The WNBA Toronto Tempo inaugural season kicks off in May 2026, as the league’s first team outside the United States, marking a transformative moment for women’s basketball and sports in Canada.

Get information on season and single tickets, as well as branded merch. Home games will be at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario.

Fans can also stream certain games on SportsNet (SN), The Sports Network (TSN), Amazon Prime Video and other platforms.

Ringette

Ringette is a fast-paced ice sport that has been popular since its inception in Canada in 1963. 

Teams of six players compete to hit a rubber ring into the opposing team’s goal net using straight sticks. The game features unique rules, such as the “30-second shot clock” and the no-contact policy, which set it apart from ice hockey.

National Ringette League

Introduced in 1963 in North Bay, the National Ringette League (NRL) is the continent’s first winter team sports league whose entire roster comprises of women and non-binary athletes. The league strives to educate the public about ringette and create more opportunities to play the sport. 

The 2026 Canadian Ringette Championships are scheduled for March 29–April 4, 2026, at multiple locations in Ottawa. The NRL playoffs involve a knockout match, a round-robin phase and a tournament to determine the champions.

Ontario teams include: the Nepean Ravens, the Cambridge Turbos and the Waterloo Wildfire.

With unmatched skill, rising visibility and stories that redefine what greatness looks like, women’s professional sports are worth watching as they continue to shape the future of sport itself.