The WNBA's regular-season game attendance record was shattered on Friday night in Montreal, a city without its own team, as 20,996 fans packed the Bell Centre to watch the Toronto Tempo face the Dallas Wings. The previous record of 20,711 was set in Washington, D.C., in 2024. The massive turnout underscored the deep and growing support for women's basketball in Canada, even as the injury-riddled Tempo fell 108-95 to the Wings. The event was a significant milestone for the expansion Tempo, who aim to represent all of Canada. Head coach Sandy Brondello highlighted the unique opportunity to create firsts for the league and the country, noting the responsibility of being Canada's only WNBA team. The crowd was largely supportive of the Tempo, but a notable contingent cheered for Wings star Paige Bueckers, the 2025 first overall draft pick, who scored a game-high 34 points. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Tempo leading at halftime before the Wings pulled away with a dominant 24-10 fourth quarter. Marina Mabrey led Toronto with 34 points, while Jessica Shepard recorded a double-double for Dallas. The Tempo's ownership group includes Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, and the event has fueled speculation about a potential permanent WNBA team in Montreal, creating a possible rivalry with Toronto. The Tempo will play four home games outside of Toronto this season, including stops in Vancouver. The record-setting attendance follows a similar milestone for the Bell Centre, which also holds the PWHL attendance record.