New team, rising crowds, and betting numbers climbing fast. FanDuel’s move into the WNBA lands right on time, giving fans another reason to pay attention this season
FanDuel has jumped into the WNBA, and it lands right when the league is starting to get properly interesting. There’s a new team coming in, more people are watching, and the games are getting harder to ignore. The Toronto deal sits right in the middle of that, and it gives fans another angle to get involved once the season gets going.
FanDuel Moves Early as WNBA Expansion Takes Shape
Toronto is getting its own WNBA team, and that alone changes the conversation. The Toronto Tempo joins the league for the 2026 season, with its first game set for May 8. It becomes the WNBA’s 14th franchise and the first based outside the United States, which opens up a completely new market.
FanDuel has moved in quickly. The deal gives it presence inside the arena, along with digital tie-ins that connect to live games and team content. That kind of setup puts betting right alongside the action rather than off to the side. Fans already follow highlights and big moments, and that behaviour has been built for years through events like the NBA All-Star weekend, where standout plays drive attention and keep people coming back. The WNBA is now sitting in that same space, with more eyes on games and more reasons to stay engaged.
Betting Interest in Women’s Basketball Is Already Moving
The numbers are already there. FanDuel has reported a 270% increase in WNBA bet count, along with a 101% rise in total money wagered on the league. Those are not small jumps. That is a market picking up speed quickly.
That growth sits inside a wider push between the league and the sportsbook. The WNBA and FanDuel have a multi-year partnership that covers betting, fantasy contests, and media content, which ties everything together across platforms. It means odds, highlights, and fan engagement all sit in the same ecosystem. You are not jumping between apps or trying to piece things together; it is all connected to the games themselves.
That setup also makes the first step easy to take. A small opening bet can unlock bonus bets, which keep things moving once you are in. It gives you room to test different markets, follow games more closely, and stay involved without needing to commit much upfront.
Why This Partnership Matters for FanDuel
For FanDuel, the partnership is about positioning early inside a growing category. Women’s sports continue attracting larger audiences, stronger sponsorships, and more consistent media coverage. Entering the market before competition intensifies gives sportsbooks a chance to build loyalty with fans as engagement continues to rise.
Toronto also creates a unique opportunity because it introduces a new geographic market tied directly to expansion. A first-year franchise naturally generates curiosity, which increases attention around betting markets, team news, and player performance. For FanDuel, that means visibility at a moment when audience habits are still forming.
The Audience Is Catching Up Fast
The jump in betting lines up with a surge in attention. The 2024 WNBA Draft pulled in around 2.45 million viewers, which is several times higher than earlier drafts. Regular-season games have also pushed past the 2 million mark for some matchups, especially when top players are involved.
That rise comes with names people recognise. Caitlin Clark brought a new wave of viewers into the league, while players like A’ja Wilson have kept the standard high on the court. The league schedule has also expanded, with 330 regular-season games lined up for 2026. More games mean more coverage, and more coverage keeps the league in front of people regularly. The jump in viewership and attention is clear in the numbers being reported around the league.
What This Means for Fans Looking to Get Involved
There is a clear entry point to the sports betting ecosystem for anyone paying attention to the games. New users looking at WNBA markets can register via this link on Covers.com and get started with a small first bet that unlocks bonus bets tied to that opening wager. The setup keeps things simple and gives you a way to get involved without committing much upfront. It lays out current offers in plain terms, with the latest FanDuel promo details, entry conditions, and what happens after the first bet settles. It also breaks down how bonus bets are credited and used, so there is no guesswork once you are in.
That is important because the WNBA now sits in a part of the calendar where there is less competition for attention. The NBA season winds down, the NFL is still a way off, and there is space to follow games without everything overlapping. Betting fits naturally into that window, especially with live markets, player props, and game lines that update throughout the match.
Talent Pipeline and League Depth Keep Building
Expansion brings more than just new teams. It brings new players into the system, and that adds depth across the league. The Toronto Tempo will build its roster through an expansion draft, along with new signings and trades. Other teams adjust at the same time, which creates movement across the board.
That process starts well before players reach the WNBA. Development systems, recruitment, and exposure all play a role in getting athletes to this level, and those pathways are becoming more visible as the women’s game grows. A stronger pipeline means more competition for places, and that raises the standard of play once the season begins.
The Betting Calendar Is Getting Longer
The WNBA fills a gap that used to sit quietly for betting. Once the NBA season ends, there is usually a drop before football picks up again. That gap now has regular games, competitive matchups, and markets that stay active across the week.
That gives bettors something to follow without needing to jump between sports. It also keeps sportsbooks active during a stretch that used to rely on smaller events. The schedule runs consistently, and the number of games gives you options across the week rather than just the weekend.
The Toronto deal fits into that picture. It is not just about one team or one market. It is part of a wider push that keeps the WNBA visible, active, and worth paying attention to as the season moves forward.
The partnership reflects a wider shift in how sportsbooks approach women’s sports. As audiences grow and betting activity increases, leagues like the WNBA are becoming a larger part of the sports entertainment calendar. For FanDuel, moving early into that space may prove just as important as the deal itself.
