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, including the famous Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. 

Women’s ice hockey is quickly gaining popularity, with leagues like the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) featuring top talent from across Canada. Watch the incredible talent of female athletes and enjoy the growing excitement of ice hockey in Ontario.

Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL)

The PWHL is a professional ice hockey league for women in the United States and Canada. The league has inspired young female 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.

Six teams compete in the league, including PWHL Ottawa and PWHL Toronto. Support the Toronto team at Coca-Cola Coliseum or the Ottawa team at TD Place by purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster. 

The season runs from November to May.

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. The landscape is becoming more vibrant, with an increasing number of girls and women participating in the sport. League1 Ontario and the upcoming Northern Super League commit to advancing women’s soccer by creating opportunities for athletes to showcase their talent and passion on a larger stage.

League1 Ontario

League1 Ontario (L1O) is a semi-professional soccer league in Ontario. It showcases and develops talented soccer players who want to play professionally. Some players receive scholarships and may eventually take on professional positions worldwide.

The women’s league was created in 2015 with nine teams and encourages continual growth of new teams. 

Each team plays one match against all other teams and playoffs are held at the end of the season. Find up-to-date information about participating teams and where to watch the games throughout Southern Ontario.

Northern Super League

The Northern Super League (NSL) will be Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league, with its kickoff season starting in April 2025. It was founded by Olympic medalist and professional former soccer player Diana Matheson. The league will have six teams from major Canadian cities.

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

Season tickets can be reserved online with a deposit, details about single tickets are still to come. Fans will also be able to view or listen to the games on TSN, CBC Sports and Radio-Canada. 

Ringette

Ringette is a fast-paced ice sport that has been popular since it started 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 like the "30-second shot clock” and the no-contact policy, setting it apart from ice hockey.

National Ringette League

Introduced in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario, 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 2025 Canadian Ringette Championships are scheduled for March 30–April 5, 2025, at multiple locations throughout Ottawa, Ontario. The NRL playoffs involve a knockout match, a round-robin phase and a tournament to determine the champions.

The teams from Ontario are the Nepean Ravens, the Cambridge Turbos and the Waterloo Wildfire.

Basketball

The Toronto Raptors have captured the hearts of basketball fans from across Ontario, making the sport wildly popular in Canada. The upcoming 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 (WNBA)

The WNBA is finally coming to Toronto to tip off the 2026 season, with home games starting in May 2026. This is the league's first team outside the United States and is game-changing for women’s basketball and sports in Canada. The team unites the country and inspires passion in fans from coast to coast. 

The waitlist for season tickets is available and requires a deposit. Games are expected to take place at the Coca-Cola Coliseum and Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.