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By the numbers: The WNBA is in Vancouver this Friday

The previous two WNBA games in Canada both sold out, and Friday night’s is trending in that direction, too.

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When the Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm tip-off Friday night at Rogers Arena (7 p.m., TSN), it will be the first time the WNBA has played a regular-season outside the United States.

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Here’s some other numbers to think about heading into the game.

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3,000: The approximate of tickets sold for the game for the 19,700 seat Rogers Arena. They start at $32, with the majority of the remaining seats in the upper bowl. Organizers expect those remaining tickets to go quickly.

6: The number of WNBA all-stars between the two teams. The Dream are led by three-time all-star Allisha Gray, rated the top-ranked guard of the event by both media and players. She won the three-point shootout and skills competition last year. She partners with Rhyne Howard, another three-time all-star in the Dream backcourt. Brionna Jones is another all-star.

Seattle also has three all-stars: Skylar Diggins, Helling and Gabby Williams. Diggins has made seven all-star squads.

4: There are only four Canadians in the WNBA, all hailing from Ontario. Mississauga’s Laeticia Amihere, who plays for the Golden State Valkyries, became a viral sensation in 2019 when she became the first Canadian female to dunk in a game, doing it for King’s Christian Collegiate at just 15 years old.

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Kingston’s Aaliyah Edwards plays for the Connecticut Sun and is a longtime member of the Canadian national team. Her WNBA debut, with the Washington Mystics, came against the Storm in 2024. She was just traded to the Sun last week.

Hamilton’s Kia Nurse of the Chicago Sky might be one of the best-known WNBA players, period, being named to the all-star team in 2019. She was just the third Canadian to make it.

The Dream also have a Canada-ian on their team — U.S. guard Jordin Canada. Her status for Friday is questionable however, after suffering a knee injury last week.

5: Number of times WNBA has played any games outside the U.S.; all the previous matches have been exhibitions, taking place in Edmonton (2024), Toronto (2023); Manchester, England (2011); and Monterrey, Mexico (2004).

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65: Percentage of increase in Canadian viewership of two previous WNBA games played in Canada. Sixty five per cent more Canadian viewers watched the 2024 game vs. 2023 in Edmonton. You can now follow the WNBA on both Instagram and Facebook through their specific handle: @WNBACanada.

9: Months until the 2026 season will start, and will mark the first campaign for the expansion Toronto Tempo. They will be the only team outside of the U.S., and its inclusion will come in the WNBA’s 30th anniversary season — making it the longest-running women’s professional league in the world.

5: On Thursday, five courts across Vancouver will join locations in New York and Indianapolis under the ‘Line ‘Em Up’ initiativea push to make the WNBA more accessible by painting the official WNBA 3-point line on outdoor basketball courts.

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The five courts in Vancouver are:

Stanley Park — Ceperley Park Playground: 8701 Stanley Park Dr.

Hastings Community Park: 3000 E Pender St.

Gaston Park: 3470 Crowley Dr.

Kingcrest Park: 4150 Knight St.

Queen Elizabeth Park: 4600 Cambie St.

262: The number of pieces of maple that will make up the hardwood court at Rogers Arena for the game.

335: There will be 355 Gatorade-emblazoned game towels for the two teams.

1,176: Number of bottles of Gatorade will be shipped to Vancouver for the Dream and Storm for practice and game use.

3,639: The Dream will be the home team for Friday’s game. The distance between Vancouver and their actual home area in is 3,639 km.

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