The Maritime Women’s Basketball Association is preparing to launch its fifth anniversary season this weekend.
There have been numerous off-season changes and challenges for the MWBA, but the arrow continues to point in the right direction.
‘We have a new team entering our league with the addition of the Truro Tidal Queens and when you see rosters, the talent assembled across the MWBA is very high,’ said commissioner, Jen Lloyd, of Dartmouth, NS. ‘There are some new rules introduced like the no touch backcourt that has our coaches and players excited to speed up the game and we are showcasing all we have through Pay Per View livestreaming in most locations.’
Lloyd said the goal is to have fans attend the games in person.
Most admissions are between $8 and $10 for adults and, since the league’s inception in 2022, children are admitted free (please check each team’s age limit for a child entrance).
MWBA is a non-profit league that recently lost some key partnership funding.
To continue livestreaming in 2026, the majority of MWBA teams are moving to a Pay Per View model. This year, more than ever, Lloyd is encouraging fans to support the league—whether in the stands or through Pay Per View.
‘Since we started, our livestream games have been shown free of charge, but we are being frank with our supporters that we needed to change the approach following the loss of three major financial partners,’ said Lloyd. ‘The MWBA is a non-profit and amateur league. Each team fundraises almost 10 months a year. Truly, we encourage fans to come to the games and watch this amazing product in person. If you can’t there is still a viable option through Pay Per View.’
Nova Scotia’s Tidal Queens, Halifax Hornets, Halifax Thunder and Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Preston will use Pay Per View under the banner of Maritime Athletic Profiles.
In New Brunswick, the Fredericton Freeze and Port City Fog of Saint John will livestream its Pay Per View games through AO Live, using Aurora Productions. Moncton Mystics and Miramichi HerIcanes opted out of the Pay Per View system.
Those watching on Pay Per View to follow their favourite teams will be charged $8.99 plus tax (credit card only) when they arrive at the game source in both provinces. If you want a game-day pass to watch all four Nova Scotia teams hosting games on a weekend, it’s $12.99.
Teams all receive financial rebates through their providers to help off-set costs.
Costs associated with MWBA teams include gymnasium rentals, hotels, travel, meals, equipment, officials, athletic therapy, minor officials and more.
The livestreaming Pay Per View showcases MWBA athletes to a wide audience, allows for recruiting and statistical data and continues to help grow women in sport and basketball.
Numerous leagues such as Atlantic University Sport, Ontario University Athletics, Maritime Hockey League and a plethora of other circuits livestream through Pay Per View.
‘We have always had great support when we look into the stands across the league, but every ticket sold, every livestream view counts to help our organizations and our leagues,’ said Lloyd. We want to continue building our league through exposure, development and fan growth. In reality, we may be celebrating five years of play in the MWBA, but we’re still growing and we’re still learning. We are a unique league in this great country. We want to keep building.
For further information or to watch games this weekend in Nova Scotia, visit Maritime Athletic Profiles at https://live.maritimeathleticprofiles.com/home
In New Brunswick, view www.ao.live
In both cases, you will be instructed where to find the games.
There are six games set for opening weekend.
It all begins at 3 p.m. Saturday at Cole Harbour High School when Moncton faces Lake City. At 5 p.m., Thunder welcomes Truro at Halifax Grammar School. The day is capped when Miramichi welcomes Fredericton for a 6 p.m., tilt at Miramichi Valley High School.
On Sunday, there are three more games.
Moncton caps its Nova Scotia weekend with a 2:30 p.m. date at Mount St. Vincent University against the Hornets. At the same time, Miramichi visits the Fog at Rothesay High School. Thunder visits Lake City at 3 p.m. at CHHS.
