Women’s sports teams to watch in Ontario

Ice hockey

Professional Women’s Hockey League

Women’s ice hockey is quickly gaining popularity, with leagues like the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) featuring top talent from across Canada. The PWHL represents ice hockey teams in the United States and Canada.

The league has inspired promising women athletes throughout Ontario to chase their sporting dreams. 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 female players.

Eight teams compete in the PWHL, including Ontario’s Ottawa Charge and 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

With many players hailing from Ontario, the Canadian women’s Olympic soccer team’s historic gold-medal victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics helped inspire a new generation of athletes and boost interest in women’s soccer across the province and beyond.

Northern Super League

The Northern Super League (NSL) is Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league, founded by Olympic medalist and former professional 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.

Fans can support their local team by purchasing tickets online or tuning into 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 is full of star-studded talent.

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. The Toronto Tempo have their sights set on a playoff spot and will need an engaged, passionate, and committed fanbase, both in the stadium and at home throughout the season, to help them achieve the dream.

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.