After more than a year of anticipation, the Toronto Tempo has officially pulled back the curtain on the look its players will wear for their historic debut. The city's new WNBA expansion franchise unveiled its inaugural home and away jerseys on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, offering fans the first complete glimpse of the team's on-court identity ahead of its 2026 season tip-off.
A Classic and Modern Design
The uniform reveal marks a significant milestone for the Tempo, the latest addition to the rapidly growing North American women's professional basketball league. The home jersey is a crisp white, while the away uniform features a distinctive "Tempo Bordeaux" colour—a rich red with purple undertones that provides a subtle homage to the Toronto Raptors. Both jerseys are outlined with "Borealis Blue" lettering, creating a bold visual contrast.
Whitney Bell, the team's chief marketing officer, explained the philosophy behind the design. The goal was to create something timeless that would endure for years while feeling contemporary. "We wanted to feel modern, bold, but also something that people would really enjoy wearing every day as a fashion statement," Bell stated.
Symbolism in the Stitching
A key design element setting the Tempo's kits apart is the inclusion of six speed lines running down the sides of the jerseys. This feature is packed with local significance. The six lines represent Toronto's six boroughs, the five players on the basketball court, and the passionate "sixth player"—the fans in the stands.
"(The speed lines) are something that I think sets us apart. It's really unique about our team," Bell noted, adding that the dynamic lines also visually represent the meaning of the team's name and the fast-paced nature of the game itself.
A Well-Kept Secret
Keeping the final designs a secret was no small feat. While Toronto was awarded the WNBA franchise in May 2024 and announced its name and colours in December 2024, the jersey designs were actually completed a month earlier, in November 2024. The organization successfully kept them under wraps for over a year, avoiding the leaks that often plague sports uniform reveals.
"It's tough to hold on to it for over a year... and then from the time we designed them to when we saw the first physical samples was like half a year, so you almost forget," Bell admitted. "Then it's like a pleasant surprise when you get to see them again."
The initial fan reaction on social media platform X has been overwhelmingly positive. One supporter connected the six lines to the city's identity, writing, "Reppin the 6 boroughs, the fans, and the subway lines!! We are 6ix through and through!!" Another simply declared, "I'll definitely be purchasing one."
This reveal is not the end of the Tempo's uniform story. Each WNBA team also features a third alternate "Rebel" jersey. The Tempo has not yet commented on plans for its alternate look, leaving another element of style for fans to look forward to before the team takes the court in 2026.
