The WNBA is heading north for the league’s first-ever preseason game in Canada.

The Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx will meet on May 13 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.

“Bringing a WNBA preseason game to Canada is an important milestone for the global growth of the league,” commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a news release Wednesday. “I’ve spoken often of the global popularity of women’s basketball and, this past season, WNBA games were broadcast in 207 countries and territories, including in Canada, where fans have shown a great appetite for WNBA action.

“And as Canadian stars like Bridget Carleton, Natalie Achonwa and Kia Nurse continue to flourish in and drive interest around the league, we’re looking forward building on the momentum and excitement surrounding the WNBA in Canada with this historic game.”

This will be the third WNBA preseason game played outside of the United States. In 2004, the Detroit Shock and San Antonio Silver Stars met in Monterrey, Mexico, and in 2011 the Atlanta Dream played the Standard Life Great Britain Women’s basketball team in Manchester, England.

–Field Level Media